The Washington State Patrol (WSP) announced that detectives arrested a longtime fugitive on Thursday, April 2 in West Seattle, more than eight years after he was placed on the agency’s most wanted list in connection with a fatal crash on I-5 in Kent.
Jerry C. Denson, 36, had been wanted since 2017 after failing to appear in court on a vehicular homicide charge stemming from a March 17, 2017 crash on southbound I-5 at SR 516, according to the Washington State Patrol. The agency said Joy Marie Brannon, a 28-year-old passenger in Denson’s vehicle, was tragically killed in the crash.
A WSP most wanted bulletin says Denson was allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol when he lost control of the vehicle, which left the roadway and flipped. The bulletin states that one passenger was ejected into the northbound lanes of I-5 and died from her injuries.
Investigators said detectives and the Organized Crime Intel Unit developed credible information over the past several months about Denson’s whereabouts and worked with members of the U.S. Marshals Violent Offender Task Force to apprehend him safely. He was taken into custody without incident and booked into the King County Jail, where he will face proceedings related to the original vehicular homicide charge, according to the state patrol.
“No matter how much time passes, we will continue to pursue those who evade accountability for serious crimes,” Trisena Sharff, captain of the Washington State Patrol Criminal Investigative Division, said in the release. “Today’s arrest is the result of relentless investigative work and strong partnerships, and we hope it brings some measure of justice to the Brannon family.”
King County Prosecutor Leesa Manion said the case will now move ahead in court.
“This tragic crash was not forgotten, and I appreciate the work between the State Patrol and our Special Operations Unit to find and safely apprehend this defendant,” Manion said. “Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and this vehicular homicide case will move forward in the courts with our Felony Traffic Unit.”
The most wanted bulletin listed Denson’s last known address was in Auburn.
The warrant was issued by King County Superior Court on Oct. 5, 2017, with bail set at $100,000, according to the bulletin.
Photos courtesy Washington State Patrol.
