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Background: The Ace Hardware store in Anacortes, Wash., where Dennis “DJ” Thornlow was killed on July 2 (Google Maps). Inset: Dennis “DJ” Thornlow (Jordan Weeks/Facebook).
A Washington state man accused of running over a motorcyclist who died at the scene was allowed to leave jail until he goes to trial.
Josue Flores, 49, was arrested in connection with the hit-and-run death of 48-year-old Dennis “DJ” Thornlow. According to reporting by local news outlet Anacortes American, Thornlow was riding his motorcycle near an Ace Hardware in Anacortes on the night of July 2 when he lost control and fell off. Video surveillance from the Ace Hardware reportedly showed a sedan, which was allegedly being driven by Flores, following Thornlow down the road before the spill.
According to court documents obtained by local NBC affiliate KING, the video also allegedly shows that Flores” car entered the Ace Hardware parking lot from another entrance, “sharply turned his vehicle to the right,” and “intentionally” drove directly toward Thornlow, who lay injured on the ground.
Police said that Flores then allegedly ran Thornlow over, dragging him underneath his car through the Ace Hardware parking lot for 186 feet. He then left the parking lot and drove away.
Thornlow was pronounced dead at the scene minutes after first responders arrived.
Flores was charged with second-degree murder, vehicular homicide, and felony hit-and-run. After the arrest, a judge set bail at $50,000, which Flores posted after spending one night in jail. While prosecutors had pushed for $250,000 bail, Flores’ defense attorney argued that his client was on disability and could not work, and a lower bail was justified.
Jordan Weeks, Thornlow’s longtime partner, spoke to KING about Flores’ release from jail, saying, “It’s frightening to know that people have that short a fuse, where they’re going to let their emotions take over them. They’re gonna let that rage consume them, and then do something that they can’t take back.”
Flores remains free after posting bond. His next court date is scheduled for Oct. 30 and his trial is set for Dec. 1.