Bohleen In Court For Bike Fatality

WALLA WALLA - The man charged with killing a Seattle cyclist on Middle Waitsburg Road in May appeared in Walla Walla County Superior Court Monday for the first time.

Melvin Bohleen, 73, of Dayton, dressed in blue jean overalls and a brown t-shirt, signed paperwork and listened to Judge Donald Schacht describe possible sentencing and release.

Bohleen is charged with vehicular homicide for striking a cyclist with his vehicle on May 21. The cyclist, Sarah Eustis, 61, of Seattle, died as a result of her injuries.

The cause of the acci- dent was described as "inattention" on Monday. Drugs and alcohol were not a factor.

If Bohleen is convicted, he faces a fine of $50,000 or a maximum punishment of life in prison.

The prosecuting attorney had no objections to Bohleen being released into the community and said he is not a flight risk. Schacht asked that Bohleen keep in contact with his lawyer Michael Hubbard. He is not to have contact with any witnesses and he must stay in Walla Walla, Asotin and Columbia counties.

According to a report by the Walla Walla County Sheriff's Office on the May 21 accident, it describes Bohleen as having diabetes and macular degeneration. Because of his sight issues, Schacht also said Bohleen is not allowed to drive. Bohleen will appear for his arraignment in a couple of weeks, Schacht said Monday.

The report of the accident described how Bohleen was traveling in his white, 2000 Jeep Cherokee southbound on Middle Waitsburg Road about 10:30 a.m. on May 21.

Bicyclists Eustis and Teresa Wolber were riding side by side, staggered on the road, also traveling southbound on the same road. Bohleen said he did not see the cyclists until they were right in front of him, "like they had come out of nowhere," according to the report. The vehicle struck Eustis on its front side passenger bumper.