Juvenile Driver of High-Speed Single Vehicle Crash believed to be Impaired Arrested for Vehicular Homicide and Vehicular Assault
Spokane Valley Deputies and Traffic Unit Investigators responded to a one-car, high-speed crash on S. Bowdish Road. The vehicle's two adult passengers (19-year-old female, 18-year-old male) sustained life-threatening injuries and were transported to the hospital, where one later died from his injuries.
The juvenile male driver was believed to be impaired at the time of the high-speed crash. After being treated and released at a hospital, he was arrested, charged with Vehicular Homicide and Vehicular Assault, and booked into the Spokane County Juvenile Detention Center.
On January 23, 2022, at approximately 12:30 am., Spokane Valley Deputies responded to a reported one-vehicle crash in the 1700 block of S. Bowdish Road in Spokane Valley.
Deputies arrived to find a 2012 Kia Optima on its side in the front yard of a residence, struck large landscaping boulders, overturned, and struck a tree. Three occupants were trapped inside the vehicle and were extricated by Spokane Valley Fire personnel.
The front passenger, a 19-year-old female, and the passenger seated in the backseat, an 18-year-old male, sustained life-threatening injuries and were transported to a hospital for treatment.
The 17-year-old driver was transported to the hospital for further evaluation and additional care.
Traffic Unit Investigators were called to the scene to continue investigating this serious crash. SIRT Team Volunteers also responded to assist with traffic control.
Initial information indicated the Kia was traveling south on Bowdish at a high rate of speed and failed to stop at the 4-way stop at 16th Avenue. The car began to spin clockwise and crossed the centerline into the northbound lane before leaving the roadway, where it struck large landscaping boulders, overturned, and hit a large tree.
The juvenile driver was evaluated by Deputy Spencer, a Drug Recognition Expert. With probable cause to believe the driver was impaired and the passengers sustaining life-threatening injuries, a search warrant was granted, and a blood sample was obtained for testing.
Unfortunately, despite everyone’s efforts, the medical staff informed Deputies the 18-year-old victim was later pronounced deceased.
The adult female passenger remains hospitalized listed in stable condition.
The juvenile driver was treated and released from the hospital and booked into the Spokane County Detention Center for Vehicular Homicide and Vehicular Assault.