Man faces vehicular homicide charge after passenger killed in Stevens County crash

A driver faces a vehicular homicide charge after his passenger died early Monday in a crash in Stevens County, about 11 miles northeast of Colville.

Jacob L. Kunze, 25, was driving south on Aladdin Road with Monica M. Robinson, 37, in a passenger seat, according to the Washington State Patrol. Shortly after 6 a.m. Kunze failed to negotiate a curve, WSP said, and his Mitsubishi Eclipse drifted across both lanes and came to rest upside-down in a creek.

Kunze was taken to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center, where he was listed in satisfactory condition Monday afternoon. Robinson was pronounced dead at the scene.

WSP said excessive speed and drugs or alcohol were factors in the crash. Kunze was wearing a seatbelt, but WSP said it’s unclear if Robinson was wearing one.