17-Year-Old Succumbs to Injuries Sustained During Auto/Pedestrian Collision

Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit Investigators were informed a 17-year-old male, struck by a vehicle and hospitalized, succumbed to his injuries last Sunday morning.  The adult female driver (Jeep) stayed at the scene following the accident and cooperated with investigators.  At this time in the investigation, it appears this is a tragic accident resulting in the loss of a young man’s life.

On August 27, 2024, at approximately 8:30 pm, Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a reported auto/pedestrian collision in the 12600 block of W. Melville Road, near the Four Lakes community.

Arriving Deputies observed a Dodge truck parked on the side of the westbound lane of travel on W. Melville Road, partially blocking the roadway.  A Jeep, facing east, was parked on the shoulder of the eastbound lane of travel.  

Multiple Spokane County Fire District 3 firefighters and AMR medics were providing aid to a juvenile male with severe injuries.  He was transported to the hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries on the morning of September 1, 2024.

Due to the severity of the injuries, the Traffic Unit Investigators responded to the scene the night of the incident to conduct an investigation.  

Based on initial information gained from evidence at the scene and statements from the involved adult female driver and the driver of the truck, it appears the Dodge, driven by a juvenile male (17), was traveling west on Melville Road.  He pulled over and stopped to check the tiedown straps securing his load.  As he did, his juvenile male passenger (17) got out and was standing near the centerline of the road, toward the front of the Dodge.

The adult female driver of the Jeep was traveling east on Melville Road when she struck the passenger/pedestrian in the roadway.  She stopped to render aid as required.               

It was dark when this collision occurred, and both vehicles had their headlights on.   The juvenile passenger was wearing dark clothing, including dark pants, and it is unclear why he was in the roadway at the time of the collision.

Investigators do not believe speed or impairment are factors in this fatal collision. 

The Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office will release the name of the decedent, along with his cause and manner of death, when appropriate. 

###

This Spokane County Sheriff Office news article "17-Year-Old Succumbs to Injuries Sustained During Auto/Pedestrian Collision" was originally found on https://www.spokanecounty.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?CID=7