HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-12-10 Police charge Chimacum man charged after launching car onto beach PORT TOWNSEND POLICE DEPARTMENT
1925 Blaine Street, Suite 100
Port Townsend WA 98368'+
Phone: (360)385-2322
Fax: (360)379-4438
Conner Daily, Chief of Police
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Monday, December 10, 2012
Contact: Officer Luke Bogues 4747
Phone: (360) 531-2836
Email: lbogues @cityofpt.us
Incident No.: 12-7478
Chimacum man charged after launching car onto beach
A 35-year-old Chimacum man is facing a charge of reckless driving for intentionally jumping his car over an
embankment onto the beach just outside downtown Port Townsend.
Joshua Duane Hannum said he had"a couple beers" and "a lot of adrenaline" leading up to the decision to drive
the car westbound off the end of Water Street. He launched his car over the breakwater approximately 12 feet to
the beach below. The area of Water Street lies behind the former state-run liquor store, and is often used as ferry
traffic holding area during the summer months.
Officers Ryan Smith and Sherry Erickson responded behind Wells Fargo, 2101 Washington St., at about 8 a.m.
Saturday, December 8, upon a report of a car on the beach. The caller said the white Subaru station wagon was
a couple feet from the Port Townsend Bay waterline.
The officers later located Hannum, the registered owner of the vehicle. He had some blood and scratches on his
face, and admitted he was the driver and lone occupant of the car when he drove it off the road on purpose
around midnight.
Hannum, who goes by the alias "Admiral," described a harrowing day at sea near the San Juan Islands in which
he and other members of his crew narrowly avoided catastrophe sailing in bad weather. The adrenaline rush
from the voyage carried over into the night, Hannum said, and he felt trying to jump his car would keep the
natural high going.
Hannum told the officers that in spite of the alcohol, he didn't feel he was intoxicated at the time. Because of
the amount of time that had passed since the wreck, officers were not able to prove whether Hannum was
impaired as he drove the car.
Officer Smith measured 59-feet of skid marks on Water Street, indicating that the Subaru was braking before
going over the large boulders forming the breakwater. When questioned about this, Hannum said he may have
decided at the last minute jumping the car wasn't a good idea, but it was too late. The speed of the car,
combined with wet roads reducing stopping distance,prevented Hannum from stopping.
The Subaru sustained two flat tires, body damage to the front and sides, and damage to the undercarriage. It was
towed from the beach by All City Auto Body & Towing.
Hannum declined any medical treatment offered by officers, but was advised to seek counseling regarding his
poor decision-making.
Officer Smith cited Hannum with reckless driving, a gross misdemeanor. If convicted, Hannum faces up to 364
days in jail and up to a$5,000 fine.
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