Former Mariners third baseman Dave Edler has suffered serious injuries following a head-on car crash in Washington that claimed the life of his wife.
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Edler, 70, and his wife, Susie, 67, were involved in the fatal collision in Yakima on Sunday.
Police subsequently arrested the driver of the other vehicle, 26-year-old Trevor Allen Stockton, on charges of vehicular homicide and vehicular assault.
Former MLB Player Injured in Fatal Car Crash
The Yakima Police Department suspects that Stockton may have been driving under the influence of alcohol at the time of the collision.
Stockton appeared in court on Monday, where a judge set his bail at $75,000.
During the hearing, Yakima County Superior Court Judge Shane Silverthorn reportedly highlighted Stockton's behavior following the crash, alleging that he "chuckled" after learning about the victims' serious injuries.
"Upon hearing he had killed the passenger. His response was 'OK,' seemingly not to care about the death-dealing impact he caused, which the officer believed to be the cause of Mr. Stockton's mocking smile," the judge was quoted saying.
Silverthorn described Stockton's alleged reaction as "callous".
Police Investigate Suspected Drunk Driving in Fatal Washington Crash
Emergency crews responded to the collision at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Sunday and discovered two people trapped inside a vehicle.
Edler told investigators that a truck had crossed into his lane and struck his vehicle, while Stockton claimed the Edlers had entered his lane.
According to preliminary findings, authorities suspect Stockton had been traveling at high speed before the collision.
A drug recognition officer reported smelling alcohol on Stockton from approximately five feet away and described him as having "red, watery eyes and slurred speech".
Stockton allegedly refused to participate in voluntary field sobriety tests.
His cousin later told investigators that she had witnessed him drinking alcohol during breakfast earlier that morning.
Police also obtained a bar receipt showing that Stockton and his girlfriend had purchased nine alcoholic drinks that day.
According to reports, Stockton also directed a slur toward an officer during the investigation.
Emergency personnel airlifted Edler to Harborview Medical Center after he suffered two broken arms and facial injuries in the collision.
The former MLB player began his professional baseball career after the Seattle Mariners selected him in the 21st round of the 1978 MLB Draft.
Edler went on to spend four seasons with the Mariners between 1980 and 1983, appearing in 126 major league games.
