Three people were killed in motorcycle crashes over the weekend in Whatcom and Skagit counties, including a retired Whatcom County Sheriff’s Deputy.
Stuart Smith, 71, was identified as the victim of a motorcycle crash in Whatcom County on Saturday, June 22, according to the Washington State Patrol. Smith, who was wearing a helmet, suffered an unknown medical episode while driving southbound on Chuckanut Drive near Hiline Road. He drove over the center line and came to rest in the northbound ditch.
Smith, from Ferndale, was declared dead at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center, according to WSP.
Smith served as a Resident Deputy in Point Roberts, according to the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office in a social media post Monday. He served from 1980 through 2010 and worked as a crime scene photographer and a boating safety coordinator for the Marine Unit.
“Stu’s impact extended far beyond his official duties,” according to the post. “He was a mentor, a friend, and a source of inspiration to many within the WCSO family. His wisdom, guidance, and generosity of spirit helped shape the careers of numerous law enforcement professionals.”
In 2006, Smith was recognized by the Washington state Legislature for his bravery in the line of duty when he helped stop two murder suspects from California from fleeing into Canada by using his patrol car to ram the suspects’ vehicle before it crossed the border.
“We would be violating Canadian law if we were to chase them into Canada,” former Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo told the Bellingham Herald at the time.
A second man, William Foulds, died Friday, June 21 in Skagit County as a result of a motorcycle crash around 11 p.m., according to WSP. Foulds, 23 and from Anacortes, was driving a 2024 Harley Davidson motorcycle westbound on State Route 20 at the intersection of Best Road when he hit a 2005 Dodge Ram from behind at a high rate of speed.
The motorcycle came to rest in the median while the Dodge Ram pulled over, according to WSP.
Foulds, who was wearing a helmet, was declared dead at the scene, according to WSP. The second driver, a 25-year-old man, had no injuries.
The third crash that killed a 57-year-old man from Maple Ridge, British Columbia, occurred Sunday around 2:20 p.m. at the intersection of State Route 11 and Sunset Road, according to WSP.
Freddy Blondel was driving a 2007 Suzuki motorcycle southbound on SR 11 when the driver of a 2016 Honda CR-V made a left turn onto Sunset Road from northbound SR 11, striking the motorcycle, according to WSP. Both vehicles came to rest in the intersection.
Blondel was wearing a helmet, but died of his injuries, while the driver of the Honda, a 70-year-old woman, was not injured, according to WSP.
Annie Todd is CDN’s criminal justice/enterprise reporter; reach her at annietodd@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 130.
