The name of the pedestrian who was killed after being struck by a truck early Saturday morning on Lakeway Drive has been identified, police said, and the driver of the vehicle was released on $150,000 bail Monday.
At 12:36 a.m. Sept. 10, police found Bellingham resident Joseph H. Beadles, 42, in a nearby yard after he was hit by a pickup truck driven by Jacob M. Saville, 36, court documents state.
Beadles was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Saville allegedly drove his truck off the road, hitting Beadles, before knocking over a light pole. In a police interview, Saville said he had swerved in an attempt to avoid hitting Beadles.
A preliminary investigation by BPD crime scene investigators and traffic officers showed Saville was under the influence of alcohol and determined probable cause for vehicular homicide, according to police.
Saville was treated at the hospital, then arrested on suspicion of vehicular homicide, police said. He was released on a $150,000 bail Monday, Sept. 12, according to Whatcom County Jail Releases. Savillle’s arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 23, and he has been charged with vehicular homicide.
Lakeway Drive was closed for around 12 hours between Puget Street and Woburn Street while police investigated the scene and the light pole was removed.
A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the driver was released Sept. 15 as stated by the Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Jacob M. Saville was released Monday, Sept. 12. The story was updated to reflect this change on Sept. 15, 2022 at 1:28 p.m. The Cascadia Daily News regrets the error.
