Vehicular homicide trial postponed until July

The trial date for a man accused of vehicular homicide has been postponed from March 21 until July 16. Tucker Samms Abdon, 33, of Eastsound, waived his right to a speedy trial during a January hearing.

The readiness hearing is scheduled for July 1 and the pre-trial hearing is July 15.

In October, Abdon was charged with one count of vehicular homicide in the death of Rachel B. Gibson, 32. He pleaded not guilty during an arraignment on Oct. 22.

Vehicular homicide is a class A felony, which has a maximum sentence of life in prison as well as fines of $50,000. Abdon has no criminal history.

At about 11:39 p.m., on Wednesday, Sept. 5, a vehicle traveling on Orcas Road at Nordstrom Lane left the roadway and struck a tree. The passenger side door and wheel had been torn off from the vehicle. Abdon was located inside the vehicle, where he allegedly told the deputy that he had been driving and had “killed his best friend.” EMS personnel located Gibson partially pinned under the vehicle, she sustained life-threatening injuries.

Abdon was taken to St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham. Medical records show that he had a blood alcohol level of .141.

Gibson was flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle where she died from her injuries sustained in the wreck on Sept. 7.

During his interview with a detective, Abdon said he had been drinking at a local bar, where he consumed whiskey and beer. According to court documents, surveillance footage and witness statements corroborate his statements and timeline.