Court documents that have recently been released show that both Patrick Compton and Craig Macfie had blood alcohol levels nearly double the legal driving limit of .08 when the accident that killed Macfie occurred in late November.
During a intoxilyzer test conducted on sight, Compton blew a .15.
A blood sample from Macfie that taken when he was in the hospital showed a similar BAC of .14. Macfie’s urine also tested positive for marijuana, according to a police report.
The crash occurred around 2:30 a.m. on Nov. 18, on an area of East 11th Avenue near High Street where the lanes veer left to create room for a right turn and bus only lane, according to statement by Officer Scott Dillon. Neither Compton or Macfie slowed down before the impact, when the front bumper of Compton’s Toyota 4-Runner hit Macfie’s back wheel.
According to the statement, Compton apparently did not veer to the left to adjust to the new turn lane, thus putting himself in the bike lane. In an interview conducted after his arrest, he did not see Macfie until the moment of impact.
The hit caused Macfie to hit the front of Compton’s car, which led to fatal brain damage. Macfie did not have the lights or reflectors on his bike legally required for riding after dark, and he was not wearing a helmet. However, according to R. J. Ring, a close friend of Macfie, nurses at the hospital said a helmet would not have saved Macfie’s life.
At the scene, Compton failed an assortment of field sobriety tests. He told an officer that he had been at a friend’s birthday party, where he had been drinking before going to a few bars. Compton walked to his house after leaving the bars around 1 a.m. Approximately one hour later, he decided to drive and get food along East 13th street. It was as he was returning home that he hit Macfie.