Tulalip Tribes Member Sentenced to Intermittent Custody for Fatal Drunk Driving Crash in Western District of Washington

A 40-year-old man from Snohomish County, who is a member of the Tulalip Tribes, was sentenced to three years of probation, with intermittent confinement for the first year, for involuntary manslaughter in connection with a crash that killed his sole passenger in 2020. Danny Lee Simpson, Jr. pleaded guilty in October 2023. Simpson had been drinking with his wife and a friend at a bar in Stanwood, Washington before driving his truck to a gravel pit owned by his parents. Due to recent modifications to his truck and a lack of brake system check, the truck stalled and crashed off a 40-foot cliff, killing the passenger.

Prosecutors sought an 18-month custodial sentence for Simpson, while the United States Probation Office recommended 28 months. In his plea agreement, Simpson admitted to knowing the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol near a cliff face in a poorly lit gravel pit. The victim’s family expressed the devastating impact of their loss, with the victim’s mother speaking about the pain they have endured. The victim’s father also shared a victim impact statement, expressing the continuous and paralyzing pain he feels for his son and grandson.

Simpson was ordered to pay restitution to the victim’s family, the amount to be determined at a later date. The sentencing hearing allowed the victim’s family to speak about the devastating impact of Simpson’s actions on their lives and the community. The crash not only took away the life of the victim but also robbed him of the opportunity to watch his son grow up and experience important milestones. Simpson’s decision to drive under the influence led to irreversible consequences for the victim’s loved ones.

The case was investigated by the FBI and the Tulalip Police Department, with Assistant United States Attorneys J. Tate London and Jocelyn Cooney prosecuting the case. Both attorneys serve as Tribal Liaisons for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Washington. The sentencing of Simpson serves as a reminder of the dangers of driving under the influence and the devastating impact it can have on individuals and families. The consequences of careless decisions can lead to irreversible harm and loss for those involved.