LYNNWOOD—Robert Craig Rowland, a 39-year-old man with a lengthy criminal record, was sentenced to 27 years in prison on Tuesday, December 2, for the second-degree murder of 83-year-old Trudy Slanger in a fatal wrong-way collision on 525 near Highway 99. Snohomish County Superior Court Judge George Appel facilitated the sentence hearing.
The tragedy unfolded on April 11, 2024, when Rowland, fleeing from law enforcement in a stolen GMC Sierra pickup, deliberately drove southbound in the northbound lanes of SR 525 near North Lynnwood. According to court records obtained by the Lynnwood Times, he collided head-on with Slanger’s vehicle, killing her instantly. Rowland’s passenger, his girlfriend Kelsey Martin, suffered a broken ankle in the crash.
Rowland pleaded guilty on November 20, 2025, to one count of second-degree murder in the course of a felony and one count of vehicular assault court records obtained by the Lynnwood Times show. Under the terms of the plea, he will serve 324 months—equivalent to 27 years—for the murder charge, followed by 36 months of community custody. Concurrently, he received 70 months for the vehicular assault, with 18 months of community custody.
Several other charges, including additional vehicular assault, taking a vehicle without permission, attempting to elude police, two counts of fourth-degree assault, and hit-and-run property damage, were dropped as part of the plea agreement.
In what began as a domestic violence incident, escalated into the deadly chase.
On April 10, 2024, Martin reported that Rowland had “snapped” upon learning she planned to enter substance abuse treatment. He allegedly threw a metal object at her, striking her arm and causing pain, then took her cell phone and money. Using her phone, Rowland sent threatening messages to Martin’s friend, Salena Carmona, claiming he had seriously injured Martin and intended to “skin her alive.”
Monroe police, concerned for Martin’s safety, obtained a warrant and attempted to arrest Rowland at an Everett residence. He escaped by jumping out a window, evading capture. Officers found Martin inside, visibly shaken and holding her injured arm, though it was later determined not to be broken.
The next day, April 11, Martin and Carmona were at the Tulalip Casino Resort when Rowland arrived in the stolen truck, its license plates removed and replaced with a partially obscured trip permit. Security footage captured him approaching Carmona from behind and punching her in the head. Martin then entered the truck with Rowland, prompting Carmona to report a possible kidnapping to Tulalip police.
Fearing for Martin’s life based on the prior threats, the Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force pinged her phone and located the pair near Merrill Creek Parkway in Everett. When deputies attempted to stop the truck, Rowland sped away, weaving through traffic, sideswiping another vehicle, and driving off-road multiple times. The chase involved multiple marked and unmarked patrol vehicles with lights and sirens activated.
Deputies described Rowland’s driving as reckless, including swerving into oncoming lanes and failing to stop at intersections. After briefly losing sight of him, officers reengaged near Highway 99. Rowland then veered onto the grassy shoulder, entered the northbound off-ramp of SR 525, and proceeded the wrong way.
Approximately 40 seconds later, he slammed into Slanger’s oncoming car without attempting to swerve, per Martin’s later statement.
In a recorded interview at the hospital, Martin recounted begging Rowland to stop during the chase, warning him he was endangering lives. She described him as having mood swings, alternating between despair over going to jail and threats of suicide. When deputies arrived at the crash scene, they pulled an unconscious Rowland from the burning truck and handcuffed him.
Slanger was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
The Washington State Patrol’s Collision Investigations Unit examined the site, noting dry roads, dark conditions, and extensive debris. The pickup, driven by Rowland, had rolled over onto the concrete median, its cab partially separated from the frame. Slanger’s vehicle had significant front and driver’s side damage.
Rowland’s criminal history, detailed in the prosecutor’s affidavit, painted a picture of a habitual repeat offender.
As an adult, Rowland had felony convictions including attempted second-degree robbery, first-degree theft, attempting to elude police, possession of stolen vehicles, and theft of a motor vehicle. His juvenile record included residential burglary, taking motor vehicles without permission, second-degree burglary, and custodial assault. Misdemeanors ranged from criminal trespass and assault to driving while suspended.
At the time of the incident, Rowland had outstanding warrants for unlawful possession of a firearm and first-degree assault, and a history of 35 prior arrest warrants, often for failing to appear in court.
Prosecutors had initially requested $2 million bail, citing Rowland’s propensity for violence, witness intimidation, flight risk, and his threats against Martin’s family and his willingness to endanger the public to avoid arrest.
No appeals have been filed as of this reporting.
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 prior to April 11, 2024
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
Author: Mario Lotmore
