Whatcom man faces vehicular homicide charge in 2019 fatal crash that killed passenger

A Whatcom County man is facing a vehicular homicide charge after it is believed he was driving while intoxicated during a 2019 rollover crash that resulted in the death of one of his passengers.

The Lummi Nation Police Department booked King Arthur Solomon, 45, into Whatcom County Jail Monday, June 27, on suspicion of vehicular homicide, and jail records show he is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail. Jail records also show Solomon was booked on vehicular homicide and DUI charges on April 12 and released April 29 on $20,000 bail.

The single-car collision occurred at approximately 6:14 p.m. June 9, 2019, on South Red River Road. Solomon was driving his 2004 Ford F350 at the time, according to Whatcom County Superior Court documents, and was believed to be under the influence of alcohol.

Before the crash, all three occupants in the truck had been at a family gathering, and King Solomon told Robert Solomon that he had consumed “several beers,” according to documents, though Robert Solomon reported only seeing King Solomon drink one hard lemonade.

The three left the party, went to a Ferndale grocery store and were returning to the party at the time of the crash, documents state.

Justin Zollner, 30, was in the right front passenger’s seat, while Robert Soloman, who was 45 at the time, was in the rear, documents state.

While traveling southbound on South Red River Road, King Solomon attempted to pass a southbound car by entering the northbound lane in a no-passing zone, but left the roadway into the dirt and gravel and lost control, according to documents. The Ford traveled about 240 feet off the roadway, hit a power pole on the driver’s side and rolled onto its rooftop.

Zollner was wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash but died at the scene, documents state. The Whatcom County Medical Examiner ruled Zollner’s cause of death was “probable mechanical (positional) asphyxia due to entrapment” in the truck following the rollover crash.

King Solomon was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash and was ejected from the truck, according to documents. He was treated at the scene for “serious” injuries and taken to the hospital, while documents state Robert Solomon suffered “minor” injuries.

According to court records in the case, vehicular homicide charges were filed against King Solomon on April 9, 2021, and a summons was first issued for his arrest on April 12, 2021. He made his first appearance and was arraigned on May 21, 2021, and a jury trial is currently scheduled to begin Aug. 15.