Driver charged in toddler’s death
A Spokane businessman, allegedly under the influence of prescription medicine, has been charged with vehicular homicide in the Oct. 8 death of a toddler in his store parking lot on North Division.
Richard E. Hagelstean, 32, also known as Richard Hagelstein, pleaded innocent this week in Spokane County Superior Court. Judge Mariann Moreno allowed Hagelstean to remain free without bail until his trial, tentatively scheduled Aug. 14, on condition that he live at 203 W. Bristol and not leave Washington or Idaho.
The accident occurred in the parking lot of Hagelstean’s business, Custom Auto Tint, at 3721 N. Division. Diana L. Adolph was inside the shop when her 18-month-old son, Matthew L. Boyd, darted out into the parking lot, court documents state.
Hagelstean allegedly was under the influence of Effexor XR, a prescription anti-depressant drug, when he ran over the toddler with his pickup. Police said Hagelstean had a prescription bottle with 27 of 30 Effexor pills still in it at the time of the accident.
The label on the prescription bottle warned against driving after taking the medicine, police reported. Hagelstean told an officer he had filled the prescription earlier the day of the fatal accident, according to court documents.
Nampa, idaho
Police imposter given jail time
A Nampa man who impersonated a police officer has been sentenced to a month in jail and two years on probation.
Nathan Taylor Benson, 20, pleaded guilty Tuesday to obstructing a police officer and carrying a concealed weapon, Canyon County Prosecutor Dave Young said. He was originally charged with carrying a concealed weapon and impersonating a police officer after police said he pulled a man over in February for a traffic stop and then called police for backup.
Police said Benson, an Army National Guardsman who had recently returned from Iraq, had his Dodge Durango equipped with blue and red lights and a police scanner, and had a police uniform complete with badges and patches.
In addition to the jail time, Benson was ordered to undergo counseling, Young said.
Compiled from staff
and wire reports