Driver in fatal bicycle collision pleads not guilty

The driver accused of striking and killing a bicyclist in Kirkland has pleaded not guilty this morning to vehicular homicide and was released on $500,000 bail.

Prosecutors allege Redmond resident Nathan J.Godwin, 26, was speeding and driving under the influence at 2:50 a.m. December 8 when he hit and killed bicyclist Bradley Nakatani, 35, on Northeast 124th Street.

According to police, the driver had trouble with his field sobriety test and admitted to having had before driving a mixed drink in addition to medication for treatment of an opiate addiction. A report from the scene says Godwin only blew a 0.78 during the breath test.

If convicted, Godwin could be sentenced to 36 to 48 months in prison.

“He was a very gentle soul,” said the victim’s aunt, Sharon Yorita. “He would give you the shirt off his back. He was always helping me out with my mom and dad, who are 97 and 93.” View full post on “drunk” News