Crash victims improving after seven sent to hospital in wrong-way Bellingham collision

Seven people, including two children, who were involved in a wrong-way crash on Guide Meridian have either been released from the hospital or are in satisfactory condition.

Aaron Dexter, 45, of Blaine, was driving northbound in the southbound lane of Guide Meridian Road, near Kelly Road, when he hit three vehicles driving southbound around 7:30 p.m. June 21, according to a Washington State Patrol (WSP) news release. Dexter had a 10-year-old female passenger and was under the influence of either drugs or alcohol while operating his black 2001 Mercedes, according to WSP. Both Dexter and the 10-year-old were transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. 

A 65-year-old Bellingham man driving a 2019 GMC Sierra swerved to avoid hitting Dexter’s Mercedes but was sideswiped by the Mercedes. The GMC came to rest in a ditch and the man was sent to St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham. 

A 22-year-old Lynden woman was driving with a 3-year-old passenger when Dexter’s vehicle hit her 2013 Kia Optima head on. Both the Lynden woman and the 3-year-old were sent to St. Joe’s. 

Dexter’s vehicle continued the wrong way on Guide Meridian and struck a 19-year-old woman and her passenger, a 20-year-old Bellingham man, who were in a 2007 Nissan Maxima. The Nissan came to rest in the ditch and Dexter’s Mercedes caught on fire, according to WSP. The 19-year-old woman was sent to St. Joe’s and the 20-year-old man was sent to Harborview. 

The crash victims were wearing their seatbelts, though the WSP release said it was unknown whether Dexter was wearing his seatbelt.

The four crash victims who were treated at St. Joe’s were released, PeaceHealth spokesperson Beverly Mayhew said. Dexter and the 20-year-old Bellingham man were in satisfactory condition at Harborview and the 10-year-old girl was released from Harborview, spokesperson Susan Gregg said. 

Dexter faces criminal charges for the collision that could include several counts of vehicular assault, WSP trooper Kelsey Harding said. Harding said the investigation is ongoing and more charges could be considered. She added it was not yet known what Dexter had in his system at the time of the crash.