TACOMA, Wash. — For 28 years, Gerald Densmore hid from the law, police said.
In 1986, Densmore was charged with vehicular assault and drunken driving after Tacoma police said he slammed into a car driven by Ken Mellick.
Mellick, a decorated Vietnam veteran who served with the Army Rangers, said he was headed home from a long day of work in the early morning hours of March 9 when Densmore, then 28, hit his car as he was coming around a curve on River Road.
“(He) crossed the lane and hit me head on. And if I hadn’t reacted he would have absolutely killed me," said Mellick.
Mellick, a father of six, said the crash left him hospitalized for four months and unable to work. Doctors told him he would never walk without a cane.
"I ended up losing my farm (in Puyallup), no way to get money. I lost our house, I ended up on welfare and food stamps,” he said.
Densmore was charged but fled the state, moving to Indiana. He avoided the law for nearly three decades but was arrested on a bench warrant following a traffic stop in Missouri several weeks ago. He was extradited to Washington state to face charges.
Densmore pleaded not guilty to vehicular assault and drunk driving during an appearance in Pierce County superior court on Wednesday. His bail was set at $100,000.
Mellick moved his family to Orlando, Fla., saying the cold damp air of Washington made the pain of his injuries worse. After several surgeries, including hip replacement and years of therapy, Mellick said he has recovered physically. He has also rebuilt his business and now owns a successful contracting firm in Orlando. He also hosts a home improvement radio program with his son.
Mellick said he was happy when he got the call from Pierce County prosecutors telling him about Densmore’s arrest and plans to travel to Tacoma to testify at his trial.
“He was that close to killing me just because he felt like he could drink and take the liberty to drive drunk,” Mellick said
KIRO
