Region in brief: One of two men dies after jump from train

A 25-year-old man was found dead Wednesday along railroad tracks near Bonners Ferry after apparently leaping from a train he’d boarded illegally. Another young man who also jumped from the train survived, authorities said.

Dustin Dodge died after jumping from a BNSF train that was traveling 40 to 45 mph, according to the Boundary County Sheriff’s Office.

Train workers spotted his body early Wednesday and called investigators, who determined Dodge had died from the impact of the leap. His friend, 19-year-old Jebediah Burney, was found at a friend’s home.

Burney had jumped from the train with Dodge but did not need medical treatment for him, the Sheriff’s Office said.

No criminal charges are expected.

Meghann M. Cuniff

Boy killed in crash a day shy of birthday

A one-car crash killed a Tekoa, Wash., boy on the eve of his 18th birthday, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office said.

Zachary P. Smith died almost instantly when he was thrown from his family’s Chevrolet Tahoe as he crashed it into a ditch and rolled over on Wheeler Road just north of Painter Road on Tuesday night.

Smith was the only one in the car and was not wearing a seat belt, according to a news release.

His brother found the wreckage but not Smith and called 911 at 10:43 p.m. Investigators found Smith’s body about 25 feet from the crash.

His parents had gone looking for him but hit a deer, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Meghann M. Cuniff

Burglary suspect left jail two days earlier

A man taken into custody on drug charges is suspected of trying to steal a cash machine just two days after being freed on bail.

George W. Butrick, 31, was arrested again Wednesday after police identified him as a suspect in an unsuccessful smash-and-grab burglary Oct. 21 at the Conoco at 3125 E. Mission Ave.

Surveillance video captured images of a man police think was Butrick before he smashed the store’s front window and fled. He had been arrested Oct. 19 on drug charges and one count of unlawful possession of a gun but posted $7,500 bail. He was back in Spokane County Jail on Wednesday night on new charges of burglary and attempted theft.

Since Oct. 8 thieves have targeted cash machines in convenience stores all over Spokane County. The crimes primarily involved two men using stolen vehicles to bash through locked doors and storefronts to grab ATMs. Anyone with information about the string of crimes can call Crime Check at (509) 456-2233.

Sara Leaming