Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Corporal Jeff Welton charged the driver of the Honda, 30-year-old Shelly R. Riley, who crossed over the centerline of Bigelow Gulch Road causing a fatal crash on July 24th, with several felony and misdemeanor charges early this morning.
Riley was booked into the Spokane County Jail for Vehicular Homicide, Vehicular Assault (2 counts), Unlawful Imprisonment (DV), Assault 4th Degree (DV), Reckless Endangerment (DV), and Driving While Suspended 3rd Degree.
The driver of the Geo Metro who sustained life threatening injuries at the time of the collision is now listed in critical but stable condition.
####
Fatality Collision on Bigelow Gulch Road in Spokane County
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to a two-vehicle head-on collision on Bigelow Gulch Road, west of Evergreen Road, on July 24, 2016 at approximately 8:00 p.m. in Spokane County.
The collision involved a Honda Civic, traveling eastbound, and a westbound Geo Metro. The adult passenger of the Geo was pronounced deceased at the scene. The adult male driver of the Geo sustained possible life threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital.
Spokane County Traffic Collision Investigators were called to continue the investigation. Due to the severity of this incident, Sheriff’s Community Oriented Policing Effort Sheriff Incident Response Team (SCOPE-SIRT) Volunteers assisted with traffic control as Bigelow Gulch Road was closed for several hours.
Investigators learned the Honda, driven by an adult female believed to be involved in an argument with her adult male passenger, crossed over the centerline and struck the Geo head-on. Both sustained non-life threatening injuries. Their 8-month-old daughter, also in the vehicle, appeared to be uninjured.
Investigators believe impairment and distracted driving are possible factors.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing. The female driver has not been charged but could face vehicular homicide and vehicular assault charges.