Driver in crash recently was arrested

By Christian Hill | The Olympian • Published August 13, 2008

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The driver of the car involved in the deadly crash early Sunday in west Olympia had been arrested for driving under the influence two weeks earlier, court records show.

Richard A. Littlejohn, 22, of Olympia was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle in critical condition. His condition was unavailable Tuesday night.

Littlejohn was driving a late-model Honda Civic northbound on Black Lake Boulevard, lost control on the curve continuing onto Division Street and struck a utility pole shortly after 1 a.m., said Randy Wilson, traffic investigator for Olympia police. Aaron Pickett, 24, of Lakewood, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, died from injuries received in the crash. The other passenger, Sebastian Soto, 22, of Olympia, was transported to Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia. His condition was unavailable Tuesday night.

There is an indication alcohol was a factor in the crash, Wilson said, but the toxicology screening of blood taken from Littlejohn is pending. Witnesses said the car was traveling faster than the speed limit, he added.

Littlejohn could face charges of vehicular assault and vehicular homicide if it's determined alcohol, drugs or recklessness were factors that led to the crash.

The Washington State Patrol arrested Littlejohn for driving under the influence July 28, court records show. Details of the arrest were unavailable Tuesday. Littlejohn had pleaded not guilty, and a court hearing was scheduled for Aug. 29.

Between May and November 2005, Littlejohn was cited six times for speeding, court records show. That October, he also was cited for negligent driving.

The following month, Littlejohn was cited for third-degree driving while license suspended. The charge was dismissed in June 2007 after Littlejohn complied with the court's order not to drive and to incur no additional traffic citations for a period of one year.

A state Department of Licensing spokeswoman said Littlejohn had a valid driver's license but added the law prohibits her from providing further details.

It took firefighters a half-hour to free the three men from the wreckage.