FORKS — A Clallam County Superior Court judge on Monday set $50,000 bail for the Forks man accused of vehicular homicide when the car he was driving fatally injured a 20-year-old woman early Sunday.
Travis J. Germeaux, 29, will enter a plea to a formal charge at his arraignment on Friday at 9 a.m.
Mary Cram of Port Angeles was walking in the eastbound lane of East Division Street just outside the Forks city limit about 2:30 a.m. when she was struck by a Nissan Maxima driven by Germeaux, the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office said.
Germeaux (pronounced ger-mo) was driving eastbound with his brother, Matt Germeaux, 24, when the wreck occurred.
“Both Travis and Matthew had previously been drinking intoxicating beverages at the Mill Creek Bar and Grill in Forks,” Clallam County Sheriff Deputy Bill Cortani said in the statement of probable cause filed with the court.
Allegedly speeding
Travis Germeaux was reportedly driving an estimated 40 mph in a 25 mph zone. It had been raining off and on and was foggy when the wreck occurred.
Cram — who was Matt Germeaux’s girlfriend — was walking in the lane of travel when she was hit by the car, court documents state.
After the impact, Matt and Travis Germeaux came to Cram’s aid.
Matt Germeaux picked Cram up and placed her in the back seat of the car. They dropped her off at the hospital’s emergency room doors and fled.
Cram was flown in a medical helicopter to Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles.
She was pronounced dead during the flight at about 6:15 a.m., Clallam County Undersheriff Ron Peregrin said Sunday.
Travis Germeaux was booked into the Clallam County jail at 7:17 p.m. on Sunday.
Prior convictions
Based on his prior convictions, Clallam County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Ann Lundwall asked Judge George L. Wood to set bail at $75,000 bail.
Travis Germeaux had prior convictions for driving without a valid driver’s license in 2006, operating a vehicle without a required interlock device in 2004, two outstanding warrants in 2002 and several minor-in-possession convictions, Lundwall said.
Defense attorney John Hayden asked the judge to set $25,000 bail to give his client a chance to post bail.
Wood split the difference and set $50,000 bail based on the suspicion that Travis Germeaux had been drinking at the time of the wreck.
A blood sample was drawn from Travis Germeaux for lab analysis.
“I don’t know when the blood test will come in, but it will be important to take a look at that when it does come in,” Wood said.
Travis Germeaux pleaded guilty in August 2002 to taking a motor vehicle without the owner’s permission and driving under the influence.
He was ordered to 232 hours of community service in lieu of 29 days in jail.
A second-degree assault charge from March 2002 was dropped in April 2002.
Vehicular homicide is a Class A felony with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a $50,000 fine.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com
