Wallet of Man Who Died in Motorcycle Crash Stolen from the Scene
Suspect Believed to Have Made Purchase within an Hour
Spokane County Traffic Unit Investigators received information from the deceased man's family that someone had made several fraudulent transactions to the male’s account, some within an hour of the crash being reported. Through the investigation, the suspect was identified and arrested earlier this afternoon.
On August 2, 2020, at approximately 9:30 p.m., Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the area of Argonne and Bruce for a traffic collision involving a motorcycle and a deer. One caller advised people who stopped to help had started CPR. Unfortunately, the driver of the motorcycle was pronounced deceased at the scene a short time later.
The male’s wallet was not located at the scene that evening, and the family was informed. The wallet was not found the next day during daylight hours.
In the following weeks, Investigators were informed documents belonging to the victim were recovered far away from the crash scene, and his debit/ATM card was used multiple times, some within an hour of the crash.
Through the investigation, a suspect, 46-year-old Diane H. Manns, was identified as fraudulently using the deceased male’s credit card while the scene of the fatal crash was being investigated.
Detective Welton, with the assistance of Spokane Valley Investigative Unit and Spokane County Investigative Unit personnel, developed probable cause to arrest Manns for several felony charges.
This afternoon, Mann was located at a residence on W. Boone. With the additional help of Spokane Police Officers, Mann was safely taken into custody.
After being advised of her rights, Mann admitted to Detective Welton she used the credit cards that evening, but she didn’t know they were stolen. She would not provide the name of the person she said gave her the wallet.
Mann was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Identity Theft 2nd Degree (3 counts), Possession of Stolen Property 2nd Degree, and Possession of a Controlled Substance-Methamphetamine.
This investigation into theft and fraudulent use of the victim’s wallet continued and additional charges, and arrests are possible.
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Original Press Release from August 3, 2020:
Fatal Motorcycle/Deer Collision
Spokane County Traffic Unit Investigators responded to a crash involving a motorcycle and deer on Argonne just south of Bruce. The adult male driver was pronounced deceased at the scene. A second motorcycle was involved, but the driver was uninjured.
On August 2, 2020, at approximately 9:30 p.m., Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the area of Argonne and Stoneman/Bruce for a traffic collision involving a motorcycle and a deer. One caller advised people who stopped to help had started CPR.
Arriving Deputies, with the assistance of S.I.R.T. Team volunteers, closed Argonne between Stoneman and Bigelow Gulch while this incident was investigated. They contacted firefighters from Spokane County Fire District 9, who were attempting life-saving efforts. Unfortunately, the driver of the motorcycle was pronounced deceased at the scene a short time later.
Traffic Collision Investigators were called to the scene to collect evidence and continue the investigation.
Initial information indicates two motorcycle riders, one in front of the other, were traveling north on Argonne. A deer jumped out in front of the lead motorcycle, leaving the driver little to no time to avoid the collision. The driver was wearing a helmet.
The second motorcycle took evasive action to miss the collision and went off the roadway. He did not sustain any serious injuries and declined medical attention at the scene.
Witnesses stated the riders were not driving recklessly nor appear to be speeding.
The name of the deceased will be released by the Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office at a later time if appropriate.
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