Bail set at $75,000 for man accused of racing, crashing car with child inside

A judge set bail at $75,000 for Jeremy L. Francis, a 33-year-old man suspected of racing and crashing his car with a 3-year-old boy inside.

Francis appeared before Thurston County Superior Court Judge Erik Price on Friday afternoon, and the judge found probable cause for two criminal charges: vehicular assault and reckless endangerment.

Price said that he had significant concerns for community safety and for the safety of the child, based on the allegations. Deputy prosecutor Joseph Wheeler said that the child sustained significant injuries.

According to court documents, Thurston County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene of the crash, on Old Highway 99 near Tenino, just before 8 p.m. Thursday. A black Mazda MX5 appeared to have rolled over multiple times, with Francis and a 3-year-old boy inside.

The child was transported to Mary Bridge Hospital in Tacoma. Francis was transported to Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia and was later arrested, according to court documents.

When a deputy asked Francis what happened, he allegedly said he was “being stupid and racing and lost control.” He said that he had been racing a white Honda Civic, and had been driving about 80 miles per hour. He also said that he had smoked marijuana a few hours before driving, according to court documents.

A witness said that the Honda Civic had been driving between 90 and 95 miles per hour, and the Mazda MX5 had been driving about 80 miles per hour. She said that she saw the Mazda leave the road and flip several times.

The child’s mother told a victim advocate with the Prosecutor’s Office that her son had been discharged from the hospital and that he had suffered a brain injury.

This story was originally published April 22, 2016 at 9:37 AM with the headline "Bail set at $75,000 for man accused of racing, crashing car with child inside."