Tucker Samms Abdon, 33, of Eastsound, has been charged with one count of vehicular homicide in the death of Rachel B. Gibson, 32. He pleaded not guilty during an arraignment on Oct. 22 in San Juan County Superior Court. A trial date has been set for Jan. 21.

He was released without bail and ordered to not drive a vehicle, consume alcohol or leave Washington state.

Vehicular homicide is a class A felony, which has a maximum sentence of life in prison as well as fines of $50,000. Abdon has no criminal history.

At about 11:39 p.m., on Wednesday, Sept. 5, a vehicle traveling on Orcas Road at Nordstrom Lane left the roadway and struck a tree. According to the responding deputy, the vehicle was found off the west side of road, facing north. The passenger side door and wheel had been torn off from the car. Abdon was located inside the vehicle, where he allegedly told the deputy that he had been driving and had “killed his best friend.” EMS personnel located Gibson, who sustained serious injuries and was partially pinned under the vehicle.

Abdon was taken to St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham. Medical records show that he had a blood alcohol level of .141.

Gibson was flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. She died from her injuries on Sept. 7.

During his interview with a detective, Abdon said he had been drinking at a local pub, where he consumed whiskey and beer. According to court documents, surveillance footage and witness statements corroborate his statements and timeline.