Elderly man killed in DUI crash, police say; driver booked on homicide charge



GORST, Wash. -- Alcohol and speed led to a deadly crash on State Route 16 in Gorst Thursday morning.

Police said the suspect is a 30-year-old man from Fircrest.

The victim is 71-year-old Mac Machacek from Belfair. His family told Q13 FOX News he was a big teddy bear full of love. Mac was also a grandfather to six kids but now his family will spend the holidays without him.

The crash happened at about 6 a.m.Thursday in front of the Gorst Food Mart on SR 16. A clerk said Mac stopped by for coffee every day and he did, again, before the crash.

“We feel sorry for his friends and family, he was a good guy,” said clerk Gypsy Shell-Antonsen. “I’m sure he’s leaving behind a lot of wonderful people.”

The Washington State Patrol said the driver of a white pickup truck that caused the crash  was speeding and intoxicated.

“Apparently been drinking last night and into the morning and he admitted to that,” said Trooper Russ Winger.

Police said Mac pulled his car into the highway and was rear-ended by the suspected drunken driver. The force of the crash shoved Mac’s blue Kia across the road, where he collided head-on with two more cars. Those drivers were rushed to hospitals but Mac died at the scene.

Howard Bergman works nearby the crash scene. He said the suspect’s truck was filled with bottles of alcohol.

“When they flipped it over, all the baggage and stuff came out and the empty booze bottles and empty beer cans were right there next to the highway,” he said.

The crash is a stark reminder of the dangers of drinking and driving. State troopers said accidents like the one that killed Mac are totally avoidable.

“Cars and alcohol kill and that’s absolutely the fact,” said Winger.

Police booked the suspected drunken driver into jail on a vehicular homicide charge; he could face more charges as the investigation continues.