Driver sentenced

By ERICA JAHN

Staff writer

The case is closed for a SeaTac man who was driving under the influence when he hit a woman and her children standing near their bikes on Marine View Drive in Des Moines last summer.

William T. Robinson, 38, will spend the next eight years in prison on a conviction of three counts of vehicular assault.

But life is permanently altered for Zachary Moss and his family.

Because of injuries he suffered in the crash, the 13-year-old is expected to remain dependent on others for feeding, bathing, dressing, personal hygiene, turning in bed and moving, and he can’t speak or communicate outside of simple yes or no answers, according to charging papers.

His younger sister, Olivia Moss, 8, also received a brain injury that continues to cause memory problems, but she’s getting better, prosecutors said.

The children’s mother, Kristina Moss, suffered a fractured arm and a foot injury in the crash.

The standard sentencing range for vehicular assault is 15 to 20 months, but King County Prosecuting Attorney Norm Maleng requested an exceptional sentence of five years. The judge agreed to Maleng’s request and added another three years, for a total of eight years in prison.

Kristina Moss and her children were standing beside their bikes on the sidewalk along Marine View Drive last August when Robinson’s car hopped up onto the curb, hit the family and then drove back onto the street and continued to a pub.

A witness followed Robinson and told him he’d hit people. According to charging papers, Robinson seemed unaware of the collision. The witness drove him back to the scene to await police.

Blood drawn from Robinson about an hour after the collision showed he had ingested alcohol, marijuana, Valium and OxyContin before getting behind the wheel, according to authorities.

Staff writer Erica Jahn: 925-5565, ejahn@fedwaymirror.com

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