American fights extradition over road deaths

One of America’s most wanted men continues his battle today against extradition to the US, where he could face trial for the deaths of three people in a hit-and-run.

Frederick Russell, who spent four years on the run, will appear at the High Court in Dublin as part of moves to have him returned to the states.

The 27-year-old was charged in connection with a high speed pile-up in Washington state in 2001 but disappeared before the case came to court.

With a trial looming, Russell fled to Canada and travelled across Europe for several months before settling in Ireland. He was arrested by gardai while working as a security guard at a city centre store.

It is understood the US Marshals’ Service received a tip-off that he was living and working in the Dublin area after his name was put on the 15 most wanted list.

If extradited he could face trial for causing death by dangerous driving in connection with a car crash on the Moscow-Pullman highway.

Three college students died in the accident Brandon Clements, 22, of Wapato, 21-year-old Stacey Morrow, of Milton and Ryan Sorenson, 21 of Westwood. Three other passengers in the same car were seriously injured.