Vehicular Homicide, Reckless Driving Charges Filed in Death of Bicyclist

Charges of vehicular homicide and reckless driving were filed Monday against Nathan Jeremie Godwin of Redmond in the death of a Kirkland bicyclist last Thursday on the Totem Lake area.

Godwin, 26, was allegedly under the influence of alcohol, marijuana and prescription medication when he hit and killed software engineer at about 3 a.m. Thursday while driving a Ford Excursion. Nakatani died instantly of a skull fracture and other injuries.

According to charging documents, Godwin told police he had consumed alcohol and smoked marijuana prior to the crash and was also using prescription medications Suboxone, which he uses to treat an opiate addiction, and Lexapro, an anti-depressant. He admitted to going 60 mph in a 35 mph zone, court documents state, and told police he thought he had hit a cyclist but continued driving for a block before a passenger in his vehicle woke up and told him to go back. 

Godwin was taken to the King County Jail in Seattle Thursday and in his first court appearance on Friday, bail was set at $500,000. He posted bond late Friday evening and was released.

King County District Court records show Godwin has an and pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment in 2004 after he crashed into the jersey barrier on I-90 while traveling in excess of 90 mph.

Godwin's formal arraignment has been set for Dec. 22 at the King County Courthouse in Seattle. If convicted of the charges, he faces a standard sentencing range under state guidelines of 36 to 48 months in prison.