An 80-year-old Bellingham man who was struck by a car on Samish Way while riding his lawnmower died from his injuries, the King County Medical Examiner’s Office said.
A King County email to Cascadia Daily News said Hartwell Mitchell died March 7 of “complications of multiple blunt force injuries.” Mitchell was struck around 12:36 p.m. on Feb. 11 as he was crossing the street on a John Deere mower after retrieving his newspaper, according to Bellingham police and neighbors.
Witnesses told police a white or silver sedan speeding north on Samish Way, south of the Elks Lodge, struck Mitchell just before he reached the east side of the street. The driver didn’t slow down after colliding with Mitchell and his lawnmower, police said. Debris from the car and lawnmower was strewn as far as the next driveway.
Later on Feb. 11, Bellingham police posted to social media, asking for information identifying the suspect in the hit-and-run. Police declined to comment on the case on March 23, citing an ongoing investigation.
A charge of vehicular homicide could be brought against the suspect, if prosecutors determine the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or driving recklessly or with no regard for others’ safety.
Neighbors on the 900 block of Samish Way said northbound drivers routinely exceed the posted 35 mph speed limit on the long, downhill straightaway in the area.
Mitchell was a veteran and retired Bellingham firefighter, according to a GoFundMe page set up to raise money for the care of his wife. Mitchell had been his wife’s caregiver since her stroke two-and-a-half years ago.
