The CEO of Harbor Foods in Lacey is facing new felony charges related to a boat crash near Boston Harbor Marina in May that resulted in a man being grievously injured.
Justin James Erickson, 51, was charged Aug. 13 in Thurston County Superior Court with one count each of watercraft assault, a class B felony carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison; and duty of an operator involved in a collision or accident; a class C felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison.
The first charge accuses Erickson of operating a vehicle in a reckless manner or while under the influence of intoxicating liquor and/or drugs, and, because of that conduct, causing serious injury to another person.
The second charge alleges that Erickson knew or reasonably should have known that a person was injured in the collision, and that he left the scene without rendering all practical and necessary assistance to the injured person.
Erickson was first arrested the day of the crash, May 3, and had a preliminary hearing in Thurston County Superior the following day.
Thurston County Superior Court Judge Mary Sue Wilson found probable cause for the watercraft assault, at which time Erickson was released from jail on a number of conditions, including that he surrender all weapons and have no contact with the victim or any witnesses in this case.
He had an arraignment hearing on May 8, but the Thurston County Prosecutor’s Office failed to file charges in time.
Ultimately, Thurston County Prosecutor Jon Tunheim recused his office from the case due to a conflict of interest, according to reporting by The Olympian.
The case will still be heard in Thurston County Superior Court, but is now being helmed by the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office.
Pierce County Special Prosecutor Aaron Dickinson filed the renewed charging information on Aug. 13.
Erickson’s company, independent distributor Harbor Foods, confirmed Friday that it was aware of the charges filed against its CEO.
The company has its headquarters and primary distribution center in Lacey, and has additional distribution centers in Roseburg, Oregon, and Modesto, California.
“We understand this is a serious matter and believe it is important to allow the legal process to proceed without speculation or judgment. Justin and his legal counsel will address the charges through the appropriate legal process,” a spokesperson for Harbor Foods said in response to a Thurston Chronicle inquiry.
Harbor Foods additionally stated, “Our thoughts remain with Jack Edwards and his family as he continues his recovery from the incident in May,” and added that Harbor Foods will “not comment further on the specific allegations at this time, and our company remains focused on supporting our team members, customers, and partners while respecting the privacy of everyone involved.”
The crash itself occurred at about 7:45 p.m. on May 3. The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report that a large speedboat, allegedly driven by Erickson, had run over a smaller fishing boat, occupied by Jack Edwards, 21, of Olympia.
The boat had recently stalled and was drifting at the time of the collision, according to court documents.
Other occupants in Edwards’ boat reportedly tried alerting the approaching speedboat by waving paddles and yelling.
They tried to move the boat out of the way, with no success.
The boat itself sustained significant damage, with the side rail being separated from the hull, the transom damaged, and the engine knocked off into the water.
Edwards was ejected from the boat and was run over by the speedboat.
“The larger boat continued on, resulting in numerous boaters from the marina driving out and rescuing the victim who tread water despite his substantial injuries,” Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders said in a social media post on May 3.
Edwards was ultimately transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for treatment of injuries that included a lung puncture and open fractures of the scapula and elbow.
“We are truly blessed that Jack is still alive. A couple of more inches and his head would have taken the hit,” Edwards’ mother, Jessica, wrote in an update posted to an online fundraiser for Jack’s medical costs.
That fundraiser had raised nearly $32,000 as of Friday afternoon.
Edwards “does not swim very well,” Jessica said, but despite that and his serious injuries, he managed to tread water until another boater got to him.
The speedboat reportedly returned to the scene about three minutes after bystanders called 911, according to court documents.
Responding deputies interviewed Erickson, and the six passengers on his boat, at the dock.
When questioned, Erickson reportedly said that he had limited visibility due to the setting sun and thought that he had struck a log, but later realized it was another boat and returned to the scene.
“I did not see their boat. And then we made contact with something, went a little bit further and turned around and went back,” Erickson allegedly told a deputy. We were all shocked, I'm embarrassed."
Erickson reportedly told the deputy he believed he was traveling at approximately 15 mph.
Bystanders and witnesses reported they believed the speedboat was traveling between 35 and 45 mph, according to court documents.
Witnesses said multiple people on shore yelled at the boat to slow down due to paddleboarders in the water, and that individuals in the boat were yelling back and making hand gestures to people on the shore, according to court documents.
Video footage captured by witnesses reportedly confirmed that the boat was traveling fast enough to cause a large wake behind it, and confirmed that people on the dock were yelling at the boat occupants before the collision.
According to court documents, the interviewing detective did not believe Erickson showed any signs of intoxication.
Witnesses reported that the occupants of the speedboat all had cans resembling White Claws in their hands around the time of the crash, but deputies did not see any cans or other alcoholic beverages in the boat.
The deputy later noticed “alcohol in the air near him (Erickson)” and his father-in-law, who identified himself as Erickson’s attorney, at the dock.
The deputy reported that they “could not identify with any certainty which individual the odor was emanating from.”
Erickson declined to participate in field sobriety tests at the scene.
Bystanders at the dock were reportedly “emotionally heightened regarding the incident” and "intermittently shouting obscenities, stating that they believed Justin was a terrible person,” according to court documents.
A deputy noted that they saw Erickson “visibly wince at some of the statements made by these people.”
Erickson was ultimately arrested at the scene for assault by watercraft and was booked into the Thurston County Jail.
Arraignment is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Sept. 15 in Thurston County Superior Court. Erickson, who has been out of custody since his May 4 release, has been issued a summons notice to attend.
Edwards, meanwhile, is making a slow and steady recovery.
He is stable, and is undergoing weekly occupational and physical therapy to rebuild his strength, according to an Aug. 19 update from his mother.
However, his lengthy recovery has cost him his job, and it will be a few months more before he can return to work.
“He is in good spirits despite his injuries,” Jessica Edwards said, thanking those who have offered their prayers and donations during her son’s recovery.
“Jack and our family really appreciate the kindness we have been shown by people we don't even know. You all have made such a difference during this time,” she wrote.
For more information on the fundraiser or to donate, visit https://gofund.me/d43d0442b
