LYNNWOOD—After nearly two weeks of being hospitalized at Harborview Medical Center, Robert Craig Rowland, who allegedly drove the wrong way on 525 causing a fatal car crash on April 11, has been transported to the Snohomish County Jail. His bail has been set for $2 million and a trial date set for June 14, 2024.
Rowland had been driving with his kidnapped ex-girlfriend, who was in the passenger seat during the incident, court records state. The crash killed 83-year-old Trudy Slanger. Rowland was suspected to have been high on methamphetamines at the time.
He is now facing charges of kidnapping, attempt to elude, assault 4, unlawful possession of a firearm, assault 1, aggravated murder, vehicular assault, and taking a motor vehicle without permission. All these charges, except for assault 4, are felonies with two of them being classified as felony A’s which can be punishable with up to life in prison plus fines.
Rowland had his first court appearance on Wednesday, April 24, where he appeared in a wheelchair for his virtual hearing. Everett District Court Judge Pro Tem David Ruzumna found probable cause for all of Rowland’s charges during this time.
Rowland has a long history with the law dating back to the year 2000 when he was just 14 years old and attempted to bring a dangerous weapon to his school.
On July 26, 2021, Rowland was picked up by at his house in Lake Stevens on an arrest warrant granted for assault, arson, and drive-by shooting the previous day. When he was arrested Rowland had 67 fentanyl pills, scales, baggies, methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, a Glock 9mm handgun, and a second stolen 9mm pistol from a previous burglary on his person.
At the time of Rowland’s April 11 arrest, he had already been convicted of several felonies including attempted second-degree robbery in King County on 2006, first degree theft in 2017, attempting to elude in 2017, possession of a stolen vehicle in 2017, theft of a motor vehicle in 2017, possession of a stolen vehicle in 2017-, and fourth-degree assault in 2014. Rowland also had 10 juvenile felony convictions and six juvenile misdemeanors—all of which prohibited Rowland from owning a firearm.
Rowland also has 12 adult misdemeanors including two driving with a suspended license convictions and a minor in possession conviction.
On December 27, 2022, Rowland was arrested for a racially fueled hate-crime incident that took place on October 8, 2022. Court records show that he allegedly got out of his truck in the parking lot of in Manor Way Apartments in unincorporated Lynnwood after seeing two Black men. He allegedly shouted, “what are you Black guys doing here,” according to witnesses, before firing his pistol at them without provocation. One of the victims in this incident lived at the complex.
Deputy prosecutor Isaac Wells III wrote in his charging papers for the alleged racially fueled incident that, despite Rowland’s long history with the law, he felt the suspect’s violence was “escalating.”
“Based on the above, and the facts of the current case, the State has significant community safety concerns if he is released. Rowland has an Elude conviction from 2017 and one from 2003… This shows Rowland’s release without further conditions will not reasonable assure the defendant’s presentence when required,” Wells III wrote to the court.
He was subsequently charged in 2023 for First Degree Assault (weapon) and a warrant issued for his arrest on June 29, 2023, for failure to appear in court. He was detained then posted $5,000 bail on August 22, 2023, and released from jail.
In October of 2023, another warrant for the arrest of Robert Rowland was issued for failure to appear for his trial on October 6, 2023. On December 5, 2023, Rowland was booked into custody from the bench warrant in the Snohomish County Jail and posted bail again in the amount of $5,000. His new trial date was scheduled for March 1, 2024.
Rowland, again failed to appear for his latest court appearance related to the alleged hate crime incident in unincorporated Lynnwood, and another bench warrant was issued for his arrest on March 1, 2024, and again forfeiting another $5,000 to the bail/bond company.
The day before the fatal April 11 crash, officers attempted to serve Rowland’s arrest warrant but he jumped out of the window and fled. The next day he assaulted a woman at the Tulalip Resort Casino and kidnapped his 34-year-old ex-girlfriend.
Deputies with the Northwest Violent Offender’s Task Force located Rowland at a 711 parking lot in Everett but did not initiate an arrest due to the busy civilian traffic. They followed his vehicle, which was traced back to a stolen vehicle in Bothell and initiated a pursuit.
The Deputies were still in pursuit of Rowland leading up to the crash but terminated their efforts when he swerved across a grass median going the wrong way on SR-525, near Highway 99 in Lynnwood. Within minutes, he crashed into 83-year-old Trudy Slanger killing her instantly.
Trudy Slanger: Lynnwood mother and grandmother
Slanger was a mother, grandmother, and widow of Gary Slanger who passed away five years earlier. According to her obituary, she dedicated her life to spreading love and joy to those around her.
She loved music and dancing and worked as an orthodontic assistant in downtown Seattle to support her husband through dental school.
Trudy was known for being generous, social, and was considered the life of the party at social gatherings. She would often have people over to her house on Lake Serene which, her obituary reads, was always filled with joy and laughter. She was also an active Elks Club member.
She’s survived by her children, Brett Slanger, Jami Szurek, and Lisa Russell, as well as her five grandchildren.
A celebration of Trudy’s life is scheduled for Friday, May 10, at the Acacia Memorial Park and Funeral Home. Trudy’s family asks those who want to make a donation, make it to the Sanctuary Church in Lynnwood.
“Trudy’s warmth, kindness, and infectious laughter touched the lives of all who knew her. She leaves behind a legacy of love and joy that will continue to inspire those who were fortunate enough to have known her,” her obituary reads.
Robert Craig Rowland extensive criminal record
Adult Felony Convictions
- 3/7/06: Attempt Second Degree Robbery (C), King County, 16.5 Mos. Confinement
- 1/24/17: First Degree Theft (B), Cowlitz County, 45 Mos Confinement
- 1/24/17: Attempting to Elude Police Vehicle (C), Cowlitz County, 22 Mos Confinement
- 1/24/17: **VUCSA – Possession (C), Cowlitz County, 24 Mos Confinement
- 1/24/17: Possession of Stolen Vehicle (B), Cowlitz County, 45 Mos Confinement
- 1/24/17: Theft of Motor Vehicle (B), Cowlitz County, 42.75 Mos Confinement
- 9/14/17: Possession Stolen Vehicle (B), Cowlitz County, 43 Mos Confinement
Adult Misdemeanor Convictions
- 9/20/05: Second Degree Criminal Trespass, King County
- 11/29/05: Driving While Suspend/Revoked 3, King County
- 12/5/06: Minor in Possession, King County
- 4/4/07: Obstructing, King County
- 4/4/07: Resisting Arrest, King County
- 10/27/08: First Degree Criminal Trespass, Snohomish County
- 12/30/10: Fourth Degree Assault, King County
- 5/21/11: Driving While Suspend/Revoked 3, King County
- 3/13/14: Fourth Degree Assault (DV), King County
- 3/13/14: Harassment (DV), King County
- 3/23/14: First Degree Criminal Trespass, King County
- 4/25/15: Possession of Stolen Property 3, King County
Juvenile Felony Convictions
- 7/21/00: Residential Burglary (B)
- 4/14/02: Take Motor Vehicle w/o Permission (C)
- 04/12/02: Take Motor Vehicle w/o Permission (C)
- 7/16/02: Take Motor Vehicle w/oPermission (C)
- 7/16/02: Second Degree Burglary (B)
- 9/22/03: Second Degree Theft (C)
- 2/10/03: Second Degree Burglary (B)
- 5/14/03: Take Motor Vehicle w/o Permission (C)
- 5/14/03: Attempt to Elude Pursuing Police (C)
- 7/29/04: Custodial Assault (C)
Juvenile Misdemeanor Convictions
- 12/23/99: Third Degree Theft, King County
- 2/14/00: Dangerous Weapon on School Grounds, King County
- 3/9/02: Second Degree Reckless Burning, King County
- 5/24/02: Minor in Possession, King County
- 8/21/02: Attempt Take Motor Veh w/o Permission, King County
- 10/2/02: Possession Stolen Property 3, King County
7 Responses
Unfortunately, the Justice department keeps letting repeat offenders out of jail. To eventually commit murder…
The system is a complete failure!
Whatever happened to three strikes and you’re out?
Useless justice system.
The state will no longer protect you from the enemies of civilized society. The system is dedicated to cycling offenders back onto the streets as rapidly as possible to make room for new offenders, a sick Ponzi scheme perpetrated by the government against its own law-abiding citizens.
Arm yourself and be wary, you are the only one who is protecting you now.
Very true and accurate comment. And I am a democrat.
It looks like the police did their jobs, because even though he committed hundreds of serious crimes for every one crime for which he was caught, he went before a prosecutor and judge who sentenced him, over and over, to hundreds of years; so they also did their jobs.
and seemingly that would be where the question is: why wasn’t he in serious prison as a habitual offender for 25 years, over a decade ago? Not as a tax increases for prisons debate or a honest rehabilitation vs. punishment argument, just as a practical matter looking at his cred, he should have been locked up until at least 2048.
I can tell you, from experience, that this is true. This man, Robert, attempted to steal my car, broke into my apartment and lit off fireworks, a road flare, and an entire can of bear mace into my kitchen and living room, while my daughter and I were home. My entire building had to be evacuated and I suffered from horrrible ptsd, afraid to leave my home for months. He had been stalking me and threatening me prior to that, and I didn’t even know the man. His ex girlfriend was my neighbor and I was nice to her, but barely knew her either. The police did absolutely nothing, even though he was apparently wanted at the time, and I had documented proof of his stalking and saw him fleeing the scene the night of the attack. I cried when I saw this article, finally free from the terror this despicable man caused my daughter and me. I’m so sorry for that wonderful woman and her family. I hope that Robert never sees another day as a free man. He should’ve been locked up for good years ago.