Man accused of killing his wife in a West Richland drunk driving crash is back in jail

A 43-year-old Benton City man charged with killing his wife in a drunk driving crash in 2022 is back in jail.

Bryan D. Burt was released on bail awaiting trial for vehicular homicide when he allegedly was caught driving and the car did not have a court-required ignition interlock. The device prevents a car from being started if the driver doesn’t submit an alcohol breath test.

On Monday, Burt was again booked into the Benton County jail after a judge raised his bail because of the new allegation.

He was originally charged vehicular homicide after he was accused of driving drunk in October 2022 and crashing on Keene Road near Van Giesen Street in West Richland, killing his wife Lauren Burt, 35.

Bryan Burt had three prior DUI convictions.

While his bail was initially set at $500,000, his attorney argued for a lower amount in November 2022 and Judge Jackie Stam set it at $250,000.

As part of his release on bail, Stam said he was not allowed to drive, and she required an ignition interlock on his vehicles, according to court documents. He also had to wear an ankle monitor.

Then in September 2024, Burt was caught by West Richland police driving without a license and in a car without an ignition interlock, said Deputy Prosecutor Andrew Clark.

Clark asked Judge Diana Ruff to raise his bail to $750,000.

His defense attorney, Derric Orr, argued Burt did not appear in court in person in 2022 and never signed the document showing he knew about both driving restrictions.

“I think it’s hard for us to know if Mr. Burt was aware of these conditions,” Orr said.

He pointed out that two requirements are confusing — Was he prohibited from driving or just needing the interlock?

Orr said his client didn’t intentionally tamper with the device.

However, Ruff said she believed Burt knew about the requirements and violated both of them. She raised his bail to $500,000.

“It continues to be a very serious issue for the court and for community safety,” she said.

As of Wednesday, he had yet to post a bond and was still in jail.

Fatal 2022 crash

Burt and his wife left a Kennewick bar on Oct. 27, 2022, and Bryan Burt lost control of the car and crashed. Witnesses told West Richland police he was driving erratically before the crash.

Lauren Burt was thrown from the car and later died at Kadlec Regional Medical Center.

Bryan Burt told police he had “three to five beers” before driving.

His trial is scheduled for March 31.