Vehicular homicide trial postponed until July

The trial date for a man accused of vehicular homicide has been postponed from March 21 until July 16. Tucker Samms Abdon, 33, of Eastsound, waived his right to a speedy trial during a January hearing.

The readiness hearing is scheduled for July 1 and the pretrial hearing is July 15.

In October, Abdon was charged with one count of vehicular homicide in the death of Rachel B. Gibson, 32. He pleaded not guilty on Oct. 22.

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

A vehicle allegedly being driven by Abdon struck a tree on Sept. 5, 2018 on Orcas Road at Nordstrom Lane. The passenger side door and wheel had been torn off from the vehicle. Abdon was located inside the vehicle. He allegedly told the deputy that he had “killed his best friend.” EMS personnel located Gibson partially pinned under the vehicle.

Abdon was taken to St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham. Medical records show that he had a blood alcohol content of 0.141.

Gibson was flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle where she died from her injuries sustained in the wreck on Sept. 7.

During his interview with a detective, Abdon said he had been drinking at a local bar.