Driver Pleads Not Guilty in Connection With Crash That Killed Software Engineer

The family of a highly regarded Google software engineer expressed disbelief and disgust Tuesday after Patrick Rexroat pleaded not guilty to vehicular homicide and reckless driving charges in the July 24 crash that killed Steve Lacey of Kirkland.

The 56-year-old Rexroat, of Mountlake Terrace, made the plea in King County Superior Court in Seattle on Tuesday morning. He remains in the King County Jail on $1 million bail.

Prosecutors say Rexroat was drunk and claimed to be chasing another driver who had cut him off when he took the eastbound Northeast 85th Street exit from Interstate 405 at a high rate of speed and lost control of his Hyundai SUV on Rose Hill. It smashed into the BMW driven by Lacey, who was not involved in the apparent road rage incident, killing him instantly.

After the brief hearing, attended by more than 20 family and friends of Lacey, his mother and sister said penalties for the crimes Rexroat is charged with need to be stiffened.

“Are you kidding me?” said Lacey’s mother, Janet Lacey of Eastbourne, England. “He killed my son. He’s guilty and the laws need to change.”

If convicted, Rexroat faces a sentence of 31 to 41 months in prison under current state guidelines for vehicular homicide. The state House of Representatives considered raising it to 78 to 100 months during its last session, but failed to pass the bill.

“It’s disgusting and the laws need to be reviewed,” said Lacey’s sister, Susan Lacey, also from England. “I have no words that can describe how that man and his actions can take a wonderful, caring, amazing father and husband. His loss is devastating. To describe a guy like that, I have no words.”

Lacey, 43, who also worked as a programmer at Microsoft and Facebook and was well known in the industry, lived in Kirkland’s Norkirk neigborhood and left a wife, Nabila, and children, Julian, 7 and Jasmine 5. A tearful Nabila Lacey also attended the arraignment.

Superior Court Judge Ronald Kessler heard the not guilty pleas and continued the case, scheduled for a case-setting hearing on Aug. 22.

Susan Lacey said the family wanted to attend as many hearings in the case as possible to show “we are one unit,” but that she and her mother were returning to England Tuesday evening.

“I had to be here,” said Janet Lacey, breaking into tears. “I wish he were standing here right now. But he’s not. I can’t be here for every hearing. But we will be here for the trial, I can tell you that.”

Prosecutor’s say Rexroat’s blood alcohol level tested at 0.29 after the accident, which is more than three times the legal limit. Authorities are quoting a witness as saying that upon emerging from his totalled SUV, Rexroat began beating his chest, then walked toward Lacey’s car.

According to court documents, the witness told Rexroat to get back, that the other driver was dead, and he responded by saying “eh” and walking away.

Rexroat’s attorney, Tim Leary, said Tuesday after the arraignment that the chest-thumping incident is likely being mis-characterized. He said Rexroat has no criminal history and feels horrible about the accident.

“When Mr. Rexroat left that day he never thought he would end up in this position and feels terrible,” Leary said. “He understands he can’t bring the victim back. We have pleaded not guilty and now will go into the discovery phase with the prosecutors. That's how the process unfolds.”

Rexroat suffered chest injuries in the crash, the attorney said, and was likely clutching and hitting his chest to catch his breath.

“I wasn’t there and you weren’t there,” Leary said. “He still has chest pain. He has a massive bruise on his chest. I think it was more trying to regain his breath, not a man raging. He was in the middle of a massive crash. He’s mindful of Mr. Lacey’s family and doesn’t want to cause them any more pain.”

Leary said Rexroat is unemployed after losing his custom boat upholstery business because of the weak economy, and lost his wife to cancer five years ago.