Martin v. Meier

Brachtenbach, J. —

The issue is whether a plaintiff in a case arising from a motor vehicle accident may properly serve a summons and complaint according to the procedure in RCW 46.64.040, the nonresident motorist statute, where the plaintiff has with due diligence attempted to find and serve defendant and where plaintiff has a good faith basis to believe the defendant has departed the state. We answer yes, and conclude that the plaintiff in this case has made such a showing. We reverse the decision of the Court of Appeals.

On September 1, 1982, plaintiff Debra C. Martin and defendant Marvin L.…