UPDATE: Derek T. Wickham has been booked into the Spokane County Jail for two counts of Vehicular Assault.
Suspected Impaired Driver Faces Charges After Crashing into Tree
Spokane Valley Deputies and Traffic Unit Investigators responded to a one-vehicle crash early this morning. The driver and two of the five young adult passengers were transported to the hospital for continued care. The adult driver was believed to be impaired and could face Vehicular Assault charges when he’s medically cleared.
The injuries are believed to be serious but non-life-threatening.
On December 7, 2021, at approximately 6:30 am., Spokane Valley Deputies responded to the report of a one-vehicle crash in the 2400 block of N. Park Road in Spokane Valley.
The caller stated the vehicle, a Subaru Impreza, left the roadway and struck a tree.
Deputies, Spokane Valley Fire, and AMR personnel arrived and began assisting the occupants of the vehicle, all between the ages of 18 and 22-years-old. Two of the passengers were transported to the hospital for serious but believed to be non-life-threatening injuries.
The driver, identified as 22-year-old Derek T. Wickham, was transported to the hospital for additional treatment and further evaluation.
With the assistance of SIRT Team Volunteers, Park Road was closed to traffic while this incident was investigated.
Initial information indicates the car was traveling north on Park Road from Trent Avenue when Wickham lost control on the snow-covered roads, left the roadway, and struck a tree. Impairment and speed are believed to be factors in this crash.
With a valid search warrant, a blood sample from Wickham was obtained and placed into evidence. Once medically cleared, Wickham faces potential charges of Vehicular Assault.
This remains an active and ongoing investigation.
