Motorcyclist suffers life-threatening injuries in crash at Sprague and Browne

A motorcyclist suffered life-threatening injuries Monday evening when he was struck and run over by a pickup at Browne Street and Sprague Avenue. Police say the westbound pickup was turning south on Browne about 5:15 p.m. when it hit the 63-year-old motorcyclist, who was eastbound and had the right-of-way. “He turned right into the motorcycle,” said Spokane resident Anita Jacquet, who was waiting for a bus near the intersection and saw the crash. Witnesses said after the initial collision, the motorcyclist came to rest in front of the pickup’s front tires, but then the pickup proceeded over the motorcyclist’s legs. When the pickup stopped, the motorcyclist was trapped under the undercarriage. “When he drove over the guy everyone was honking their horns trying to get him to stop,” Jacquet said. Some witnesses who were angered that the driver continued after the initial collision shouted at the driver when he exited the pickup, and Jacquet said he responded: “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I was just trying to move my truck.” A paramedic crawled under the pickup to offer initial aid. Firefighters used airbags to lift the truck off of the motorcyclist, who was transported to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center, said Fire Chief Bobby Williams. Spokane Police Lt. Dean Sprague said both drivers had green lights. There were no immediate indications that alcohol or speeding were factors in the crash. The motorcyclist was riding a Suzuki GS 1000, a model that was manufactured in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The busy intersection was closed during the peak of rush hour and could remain closed for a couple more hours as police continue their investigation. Sprague said the crash was recorded by red light enforcement cameras that monitor the intersection. The location is one block west of Sprague and Division, which is considered by police as the city’s most dangerous intersection.