Kirkland resident and Google engineer Steve Lacey, who was killed July 24 during an alleged road rage accident, was remembered Sunday afternoon during a memorial service as a loving man who cared about his friends, and most importantly his family.
“I know we will never see our wonderful husband, father, son and brother again, but he will always be in our hearts and minds,” said Lacey’s mother Janet, during the memorial service held in Bellevue at East Shore Unitarian Church.
Lacey’s wife Nabila Lacey, who had just celebrated their 10 wedding anniversary, said it had been the best 10 years of her life: “He’s irreplaceable. I didn’t get enough time with him.”
Lacey’s love was extended past his immediate family and an example of that was the fact that he and his wife took their friends and family members with them on their honeymoon.
Lacey, 43, was also remembered for his love of music and photography during the service, which was streamed on the Web by Google.
New information on the accident was released through court documents on Wednesday during a hearing at the King County Court House, as Patrick Rexroat, 56, of Snohomish County, was charged with vehicular homicide and reckless driving. Rexroat will face a maximum of 41 months, or 3 1/2 years in prison if convicted.
“I just wanted him to have some recognition of the huge impact of his actions,” said Lacey’s sister Sue, who attended the hearing. Lacey and his wife are originally from England.
“He’s scum,” said Janet Lacey, who flew from London to be at the King County Court House for the hearing. “I would love to be in a room with him, but I can’t tell you on camera what I would do. He would not be walking.”
King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg, who has pushed for tougher sentencing laws for crimes like these, was not happy about the maximum penalty for Rexroat.
“The sentence range for vehicular homicide is way too short,” said Satterberg. “ Three years for taking another life in such a manner seriously undervalues that life, and underestimates the extreme danger of those who drink, drive and kill.”
Lacey was reportedly returning home from Costco traveling west on N.E. 85th Street in Kirkland while on a short errand when his car struck by Rexroat’s SUV. Rexroat, who was speeding and had a blood alcohol level of nearly four times the legal limit (.29), lost control of the vehicle as he exited Interstate 405, crossed three lanes of traffic heading east and plowed into Lacey’s BMW M3. The legal blood alcohol limit in Washington State is .08.
According to charging documents, a witness told a state trooper that just after the collision she saw Rexroat exit his vehicle and start pounding his chest. The woman said Rexroat began walking toward her and she told him to “get back.” She informed Rexroat that the driver of the other vehicle was dead, as she had checked Lacey’s pulse. Rexroat replied: “eh” and walked away.
According to court documents, a state trooper asked Rexroat just after the accident how much he had to drink and the man replied “way too much.” The trooper stated that Rexroat had blood-shot watery eyes and extremely slurred speech.
The trooper stated in court documents that while at Evergreen Hospital Rexroat said: “I can’t go to prison. Just can’t do it. I’ll kill somebody again,” and “shoot me right here,” while pointing his figure at his head.
Rexroat told the trooper that he was cut off by another car on 405, got angry and was attempting to follow the car when he exited the freeway.
“It is difficult to explain to a family who has lost a loved one in this random and senseless way that the perpetrator will face such a short punishment,” said Satterberg.
At the request of the prosecutor’s office, Rexroat’s bail was increased from $50,000 to $1 million.
“The tragic death of Steve Lacey was not an accident,” said Satterberg. “It was the predictable result of aggressive driving under extreme intoxication.”
Rexroat will be arraigned on August 9 at 8:30 a.m. at the King County Courthouse.
