Kent-Meridian student Tursic had alcohol in his system at time of fatal car crash

Toxicology reports from the accident that claimed the life of Kent-Meridian student Dorian Tursic reveal the 18-year-old basketball player had a blood alcohol level of 0.05 at the time of the Jan. 3 accident, according to Kent Police Department spokesperson Lisa Price.

Kent-Meridian High School student Dorian Tursic died Jan. 3 after the car he was driving crashed into a tree in Kent.

Kent-Meridian High School student Dorian Tursic died Jan. 3 after the car he was driving crashed into a tree in Kent.

Toxicology reports from the accident that claimed the life of Kent-Meridian student Dorian Tursic reveal the 18-year-old basketball player had a blood alcohol level of 0.05 at the time of the Jan. 3 accident, according to Kent Police Department spokesperson Lisa Price.

Though the legal limit 0.08, because Tursic was underage, anything over 0.02 is considered arrestable, Price said.

Tursic was the driver of the car, a 2004 Chevy Impala sedan. His three passengers: a 17-year-old girl and two 14-year-old girls, were injured but survived.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

According to Price, the speed, age and inexperience of the driver also were major factors in the accident.

Police investigation revealed Tursic’s car was traveling at more than 70 mph at the time of the accident, based on evidence collected at the scene.

Tursic was killed when his Impala crashed into a tree at approximately 4 a.m. in the 23800 block of 64th Avenue South in Kent.

His three passengers were transported to Harborview medical Center in Seattle with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.

According to police, the group of teenagers in Tursic’s vehicle had met earlier with a second group of friends in SeaTac. Both vehicles of teenagers were on their way to a residence in Kent when the accident occurred.

The second vehicle witnessed the accident, but was not involved in it.

Tursic moved to Kent-Meridian High School in September and quickly became a popular member of the student body and the school’s basketball team, where the 6-foot, 2-inch guard wore number 22.

Team members, fellow students, teachers and community members all joined in a tearful goodbye Jan. 7 at Marlatt Funeral Home, as well as the night of Jan. 6, when they conducted a candelight vigil at K-M’s French Field.

Price said the investigation is now closed and that no charges were expected to be filed.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

t
WSDOT plans nighttime lane closures in Kent on I-5, SR 516

April 21-27: Northbound I-5, certain directions of SR 516

t
Kent Police to host prescription drug take back day

Drop off medicines from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m Saturday, April 26 outside of Kent Police Department

t
33rd Legislative District sets Telephone Town Hall for April 29

District includes part of Kent; call hosted by Sen. Orwall and State Reps. Gregerson and Obras

Kent Police officers will carry the latest Taser 10 model produced by Axon Enterprises. The gun can fire more shots and at a longer distance than the older model. COURTESY PHOTO, Axon Enterprises
Kent Police add latest Taser model to officers’ equipment

Taser 10 can shoot more shots at a longer distance; department also adds dash cameras

t
Kent crime numbers drop dramatically in first quarter of 2025

All categories down compared to first three months of 2024; commercial burglaries drop 62%

t
Kent Police arrest man in stolen vehicle after short pursuit

Seattle man, 36, taken into custody April 14 at apartment complex near Kent-Meridian High School

t
Kent church reaches $1 million milestone for assistance program

Kent United Methodist Shared Bread Program helps people pay rent, utilities

Atena, part of a Kent Police K-9 unit, helped locate a man who reportedly fired three to five shots from his motorcycle at another vehicle April 12 in Kent. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent Police
WSP plane, Kent K-9 unit locate man who fired shots at teen

Motorcyclist fled drive-by shooting on West Hill during April 12 incident

A house in Issaquah was damaged by fallen trees during November’s bomb cyclone. (Courtesy of King County Councilmember Sarah Perry’s office)
FEMA denies funds to WA for damage caused by 2024 ‘bomb cyclone’

Gov. Bob Ferguson says federal funds are needed to address $34 million in damage caused by the storm, and that the state will appeal.

Kentwood High School, 25800 164th Ave. SE., in Covington. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Person who made Kentwood High social media threat tracked down

‘Had no means to carry out the threat,’ according to King County Sheriff’s Office

A man places his ballot into the drop box outside Federal Way City Hall. Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing
SAVE Act could disenfranchise millions of voters

Congressman reports law could cost Washingtonians over $361 million just to register to vote.

t
Judge dismisses petitions to recall 2 Kent School Board members

Group wanted to recall Meghin Margel and Tim Clark