Daren Dean Bowlby, the Longview-based chiropractor who police say was intoxicated when causing a fatal head-on crash on Interstate 5 in 2024, pleaded guilty Wednesday to vehicular homicide.
Bowlby, 59, from Castle Rock, was sentenced to seven years and six months in a Washington state prison, followed by 18 months of community custody for the death of Brian C. Campbell, 57, of Salem.
Bowlby is also required to undergo a substance abuse evaluation, and his driver's license has been revoked.
Cowlitz County Superior Court courtroom three was packed Wednesday afternoon as Bowlby read from a pre-written statement, saying that "one bad decision" had caused immense pain for multiple families.
A large whiteboard with photos of Campbell with loved ones stood in the courtroom.
Campbell died in a hospital two days after the Nov. 21, 2024, crash. The accident occurred in the southbound lanes of Interstate 5, just south of the Lexington Bridge, when Bowlby, who was traveling northbound in the same lane, collided with Campbell, who was driving a fullsize semi-tractor trailer.
Campbell's daughter Alex Fey told the court his grandchildren speak of him often, and "can't seem to understand why grandpa is just pictures (of) a face sitting on a shelf."
Campbell’s family is also suing Bowlby, his wife and the Longview Country Club in Cowlitz County Superior Court for wrongful death.
Before the fatal crash, Bowlby said he celebrated his grandchild's birthday, saw some patients, had lunch, played a round of golf at the Longview Country Club, then went to the club's bar.
The next thing he remembers was waking up in a hospital bed.
“I was horrified that I caused this accident,” said Bowlby.
He expressed his condolences to the Campbell family and said he prays for their peace.
He added that one of his children has stopped communicating with him due to the accident. He no longer has his businesses, and his wife had to go back to work to support herself.
Bowlby owned First Choice Medical Center at 1157 Third Ave. and JP’s Taproom & Grill in Camas.
“Everything that I’ve been working for, for 30 years, has been wiped out,” he said.
A person sitting behind Cowlitz County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Eric Bentson said “kill yourself” during Bowlby’s statement.
Throughout most of the hearing, Bowlby sat motionless beside his attorney, Dan Morgan of Longview's Morgan Defense Law, avoiding eye contact with multiple members of Campbell's family as they read pre-written statements.
One member told Bowlby he hopes he understands the damage he's caused, and thinks of it every time he talks to his family and friends.
While looking forward Bowlby, nodded his head in agreement.
