A tragic crash in Washington state has led to serious criminal charges against a 22-year-old man accused of driving under the influence before slamming his BMW into a pole, killing one friend and seriously injuring two others. Investigators say the driver initially tried to blame the victim for the crash before later admitting he was behind the wheel.
Washington Man Charged After Deadly BMW Crash
Salom Batlok, 22, is facing multiple charges including vehicular homicide and two counts of vehicular assault following the deadly accident in Spokane, Washington.
The crash happened around 7:30 a.m. on May 8 near West Airport Drive and South Spotted Road.
Authorities say Batlok was driving a BMW carrying three passengers when the vehicle crashed into a pole with devastating force.
Friend Killed in Crash
The victim who died in the crash was identified as 21-year-old Dewayne Aiseia.
Police said Aiseia suffered fatal injuries during the collision. Two other passengers, including a 19-year-old woman and a 22-year-old man, were seriously injured.
According to investigators, the survivors suffered major injuries such as:
- Broken teeth
- Leg injuries
- Other serious physical trauma
Batlok himself was also badly injured in the crash.
Police Say Driver Was Drinking and Using THC Vape
During the investigation, prosecutors revealed disturbing details about the hours leading up to the crash.
According to reports, Batlok and his friends had spent the night drinking alcohol after playing basketball.
Investigators say the group bought a 24-pack of Corona beer and consumed it together. Batlok allegedly admitted to drinking several beers and another large can of beer before becoming heavily intoxicated.
Police also claim he repeatedly used a THC vape pen, often called a “dab pen,” throughout the night.
Officers reportedly found several open alcohol containers inside the crashed BMW, and police noted that Batlok’s clothes smelled strongly of alcohol.
Driver Allegedly Tried To Blame Dead Friend
One of the most shocking parts of the case involves Batlok’s alleged attempt to avoid responsibility after the crash.
According to courtroom reports, Batlok initially told investigators that Dewayne Aiseia had been driving the BMW at the time of the collision.
He claimed he handed over the keys after the group stopped at a gas station shortly before the crash.
However, detectives later confronted him with a photograph that allegedly showed him sitting in the driver’s seat.
After seeing the evidence, Batlok reportedly admitted he was driving and became emotional and remorseful during questioning.
Police Say No Attempt Was Made To Avoid Crash
Prosecutors stated during a bond hearing that investigators found no evidence showing the driver attempted to stop the vehicle before impact.
Authorities say Batlok never hit the brakes or tried to avoid the pole before crashing.
The violent impact caused severe damage to the vehicle and left passengers trapped and badly injured.
Charges Against The Defendant
Batlok is now facing the following criminal charges:
| Charge | Details |
|---|---|
| Vehicular homicide | Related to the death of Dewayne Aiseia |
| Vehicular assault | Two counts linked to injured passengers |
| DUI-related allegations | Alcohol and THC use reportedly involved |
The court has not yet released additional details about possible future hearings or trial dates.
Deadly DUI Crashes Continue To Raise Concerns
The case has once again highlighted the dangers of drunk and impaired driving, especially when alcohol and THC are combined.
Law enforcement officials regularly warn that impaired driving can slow reaction times, reduce judgment, and increase the chances of deadly crashes.
The Spokane community continues to mourn the loss of Dewayne Aiseia while the injured survivors recover from their serious injuries.
