The woman who allegedly killed two and severely injured another others in a recent car wreck outside Enumclaw has been ordered to undergo a competency evaluation before her trial begins.
According to the King County Prosector’s Office, Michelle Oster originally pleaded not guilty during her Oct. 30 arraignment, but her defense team moved to withdraw that plea for the evaluation.
Oster originally made her $100,000 when she was charged with two counts of vehicular homicide and two counts of vehicular assault on Oct. 16, but prosecutors successfully argued that bail should be increased to $500,000 due to additional criminal behavior.
With the higher bail, Oster is now incarcerated at the King County Jail in Seattle.
If she posts bail, prosecutors have requested electronic home detention.
On Oct. 13, Oster allegedly was driving on SR 410 toward Enumclaw when she tried to pass multiple vehicles in a no-passing zone at a high rate of speed.
When a car coming east required Oster to merge back into the westbound lane, she struck another vehicles bumper, causing that car to swerve into the eastbound lane.
Two were pronounced dead at the scene, despite efforts of bystanders; two others were airlifted to Harborview. Oster was uninjured.
Oster has a history of reckless driving, including being charged with negligent driving in 1995, driving under the influence in 2002 and 2003 (she completed a deferred prosecution program), driving with a suspended license in 2003, reckless driving in 2009, and speeding over 17 mph ion 2018.
According to official documents, she told Washington State Troopers that she was trying to get off of Dilaudid, an opioid pain medication. It’s unclear if Oster was under the influence at this time.
The charges against Oster are only allegations, and she is presumed innocent until they are proven guilty in a court of law.