Lake Stevens man charged with racing in crash that killed woman, 83

Quinton Rummelhart is facing serious charges of vehicular homicide following the tragic death of 83-year-old Nancy Merz in a high-speed crash in Lake Stevens, Washington. The incident occurred on August 3, 2023, when Rummelhart was racing at over 100 mph and collided with Merz’s Honda CR-V, which was making a left turn. The violent impact caused extensive damage, with parts of the engine found nearly 150 feet away. Despite the efforts of eyewitnesses, Merz was declared dead at the scene, underscoring the severe consequences of reckless driving. Rummelhart admitted to racing another vehicle and claimed he was traveling at approximately 70 mph when Merz turned into his lane.

Although blood tests revealed he had 3. 6 nanograms of THC per milliliter, below the legal limit of 5 nanograms, he acknowledged smoking cannabis before the crash. Rummelhart has no prior criminal history and is currently awaiting arraignment on August 19. This case highlights the increasing concerns about road safety and the dangers of street racing in residential areas.