One Occupant Pulled from Car Submerged in Spokane River After Crash

Sgt. Teresa Fuller


Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at 1:54 a.m.


Update:

This morning, with the assistance of the Spokane County Sheriff’s Dive Team, Spokane Police Detectives recovered the body of a deceased male from the submerged vehicle in the river. The Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office was on scene to assist with the investigation and will release the name of the deceased at a later date when appropriate.

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Spokane Police, assisted by several civilians, pulled a young male from a car submerged in the Spokane River after a car crash late in the evening. The male was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries and the investigation is ongoing. The 2500 block of East South Riverton has reopened at this time.

Last night, May 4, 2020, just after 11:00pm, Spokane Police Officers, Spokane Fire personnel, Spokane County Sheriff’s Dive Team members, and medics from AMR responded to what originally came out as possibly two vehicles fully submerged in the Spokane River at the 2500 block of East South Riverton. Through witness statements and evidence at the scene, all indications at this time are only one vehicle ended up in the river. That vehicle, a Toyota sedan, left the road after crashing into another vehicle that was parked, unoccupied, on South Riverton.

Once officers arrived on scene, there were already several civilians who had navigated the long, steep embankment down to the vehicle and were in the river working to free an occupant from the car. Three Spokane Police Officers entered the river and, with the help of the civilians, were able to pull the teenaged male from the submerged vehicle. Once stabilized, Spokane Fire personnel were able to pull him up the embankment to the waiting ambulance.

Speed and intoxication are being looked into as contributing factors to this crash. Once the investigation is complete, officers will determine what charges to forward to Juvenile Court.

The Spokane River is particularly high and fast moving right now making it dangerous for anyone to be in the water. SPD is very appreciative of everyone who bravely aided in the rescue of this young man.



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