Investigation into Tumwater man’s death points to accidental cause
Investigation into Tumwater man’s death suggests it was an accident.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : In the late hours of a mid-August night in 2023, Tumwater police were called to North Seventh Avenue near Desoto Street Southwest following a report of a deceased man. Upon arrival, law enforcement quickly ruled out natural causes and initiated an investigation, documenting the scene and speaking with witnesses, including motorists who had stopped in response to the incident. Subsequently, a public appeal was made for information regarding what initially appeared to be a hit-and-run incident.
The deceased individual was identified as Sean O’Leary, a 50-year-old drummer and long-time resident well-known in the local music community, by the Thurston County Coroner’s Office. The case then went quiet as authorities continued their inquiries.
The investigation eventually revealed that O’Leary, who was lying in the road at the time of the incident, was inadvertently run over by a motorist who had stopped and alerted emergency services about the situation.
The incident, as detailed in a Tumwater police report, occurred around 9:30 p.m. on August 15th, with a 28-year-old Tumwater man driving home in his SUV on North Seventh Avenue. A Ford F-150 Raptor truck, accompanied by another vehicle, was travelling in the opposite direction. The man recalled encountering the bright headlights of the truck, prompting him to slow down and steer cautiously on the right side of the road due to poor visibility. When the truck passed, he spotted a body on the road, leading all three drivers to halt and investigate.
Interviews with the 26-year-old Tumwater man driving the Ford revealed that he initially mistook the object in the road for a pallet and attempted to swerve to avoid it. Upon closer inspection, he realised it was a person and promptly stopped.
Police were unable to determine how O’Leary ended up in the roadway, but individuals present at the scene mentioned that he had been consuming alcohol throughout the day, a fact corroborated by toxicology results showing a blood alcohol concentration of 0.285.
As part of the investigative process, authorities sent O’Leary’s t-shirt, bearing tire marks, to the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab and a specialist in tire impressions. The tire marks were identified as matching the Toyo Open Country R/T tires on the Ford truck involved in the incident.
Further analysis indicated that the Ford Raptor truck, designed for off-road terrain, may not have detected running over O’Leary while he was lying in the road. Upon being informed of these findings, the Tumwater man expressed shock and stated he would have acted differently had he known.
On October 6, 2023, police contacted O’Leary’s parents to convey that the incident was deemed an accident, with no criminal charges being pursued.
Daniel O’Leary, Sean’s father, described the situation as the most tragic event to befall their family, expressing frustration over unanswered questions and a lack of closure. He suggested that his son’s elevated blood alcohol level may have influenced investigators’ decision not to pursue the matter further. Although legal counsel consulted by the O’Learys did not foresee a strong case, the family continues to seek clarity.
Despite their grievances, the O’Learys commended the Coroner’s Office and local family court for their support in navigating the aftermath of Sean’s passing. They revealed that Sean, a single parent raising two sons, was a dedicated father who worked in the music industry and had a profound impact on the local music scene.
A celebration of Sean’s life took place at South Sound Manor in Tumwater towards the end of October, with the music community rallying to raise funds for his surviving son. Daniel expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support and acknowledged the ongoing emotional journey following the loss of his son.
Tumwater Police Lt. Jen Kolb acknowledged the tragic nature of the incident, expressing sympathy for all those involved. Sean O’Leary’s legacy as a talented drummer and caring individual lives on in the memories of those who knew him, underscoring the profound impact of his contributions to the local community..
Investigation Tumwater man death accident
Tumwater man death accident points.
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