Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Driver admits he was drunk in crash

A state Department of Transportation technician pleaded guilty Wednesday to vehicular assault in the death last February of an Airway Heights pizza deliveryman.

Paul S. Estrada, 50, admitted in Spokane County Superior Court that he was driving drunk when he plowed head-on into Yevgeny “Eugene” Korotin’s car while attempting to pass another car in heavy fog.

The collision occurred about 6:15 p.m. Feb. 5 on Craig Road, near its intersection with State Route 902, north of Medical Lake.

A witness told sheriff’s deputies that she was driving 25 to 30 mph in a 45 mph zone because of thick fog. She said Estrada tailgated her southbound vehicle at less than a car’s length before pulling into the northbound lane to pass.

The witness said she saw headlights emerge from the fog just before Estrada’s 1999 Ford F-150 pickup crashed into Korotin’s 1987 Toyota.

Another witness who stopped to help said Korotin had a weak pulse that disappeared within minutes. Korotin was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sheriff’s deputies said they smelled alcohol on Estrada’s breath, and a blood test showed his blood-alcohol level was 0.12 percent. The legal threshold for intoxication is 0.08 percent.

Estrada, who lives on Salnave Road near Cheney, is a “transportation technician” for the state Department of Transportation. He was off duty at the time of the crash and continued to perform his duties, which include drafting plans, inspecting highway projects and performing surveys.

Superior Court Judge Greg Sypolt amended Estrada’s release conditions to allow him to leave the county. Estrada’s supervisor, project engineer Ken Olson, requested the modification so Estrada could continue to work throughout a district that includes Adams, Ferry, Lincoln, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Whitman and Spokane counties.

Estrada unexpectedly had to surrender his driver’s license when he pleaded guilty. Superior Court Judge Tari Eitzen said state law required her to cancel Estrada’s license.

Eitzen agreed to allow Estrada to remain free until he is sentenced on March 16. Estrada faces a standard range of approximately 21/2 to 31/2 years in prison. He also could be fined up to $50,000.

Deputy Prosecutor Dewitt Francis agreed to recommend a mid-range prison term.

Department of Transportation spokesman Al Gilson said he couldn’t comment on what, if any, action the department may now take against Estrada.

Gilson said Estrada has worked full-time for the department since January 1998.