A Federal Way man suspected of drunk driving sent two passengers to the hospital with broken necks on Saturday morning.
Four men were packed in a 1997 Subaru Legacy as driver Christian Beener, 22, of Federal Way turned too fast on Road 1 Northwest and Beverly-Burke Road Northwest near the Gorge Amphitheatre. It was around 12:30 a.m.
The sharp curve, just west of the intersection, and his fast speed caused the car to leave the roadway and roll one-and-a-half times, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Motor Traffic Unit.
Passengers Keegan Claxton, 22, of Federal Way and Brandon Pritchett, 28, of Tacoma sustained broken necks and were taken by ambulance to Quincy Valley Medical Center and then transferred to Central Washington Hospital.
The status of their injuries is unknown at this time.
Passenger Kyle Tate, 20, of Tacoma sustained a broken leg and was flown by MedStar to Central Washington Hospital and passenger Lawrence Moore, 23, of Federal Way sustained bumps and bruises and was taken to Quincy Valley Medical Center by ambulance.
Beener, the driver, sustained a broken wrist and was also taken to Quincy Valley Medical Center.
All of the men were wearing their seatbelts.
The Grant County Sheriff’s Motor Traffic Unit said drinking and driving played a role in the crash, in addition to driving too fast.
“We’re looking at it as a DUI but nobody has been charged at this time,” said Kyle Foreman, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office spokesman, noting the investigation is ongoing.
The Mirror will update this story as more information becomes available.