A 26-year-old man from Washington is facing felony charges after a fatal head-on collision occurred on Sunday afternoon. The crash resulted in the death of the wife of former Seattle Mariners player and former Yakima mayor, Dave Edler. Dave Edler himself was left critically injured in the accident.
The Yakima Police Department reported that the crash happened around 4:30 p.m. on the 7600 block of Coolidge Road near South 76th Avenue. Investigators revealed that a vehicle traveling at high speed westbound crossed the center line, entering the eastbound lane and crashing into the Edlers’ car.
Emergency responders had to cut both victims from the wreckage.
Susie Edler, aged 67, and Dave Edler, aged 70, were both taken to MultiCare Yakima Memorial Hospital with severe injuries. Tragically, Susie Edler passed away shortly after arrival. Dave Edler was stabilized and then airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where he remains in critical condition.
The driver of the other vehicle was identified as Trevor Allen Stockton from Yakima. Law enforcement officers suspect alcohol impairment played a direct role in the crash.
Officers arrested Stockton at the scene. Prosecutors have charged him with vehicular homicide and vehicular assault. Stockton appeared in Yakima County Superior Court on Monday for a preliminary hearing. His bail was set at $75,000, with the judge noting Stockton’s cold demeanor following the incident.
Dave Edler has been a well-known figure in central Washington, both in sports and the local community. After playing college baseball at Washington State University, he was picked by the Seattle Mariners in 1978. He went on to play 126 games for the team between 1980 and 1983.
After his baseball career, Edler became involved in public service. He served on the Yakima City Council from 2003 to 2006, then as mayor from 2006 to 2010. Alongside his political career, he, along with his wife, Susie, provided leadership at Yakima Foursquare Church for 30 years.
Investigators are still waiting for official toxicology results to conclude their case.
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