Bicyclist hit by car is seriously injured
A bicyclist was seriously injured Thursday after a motorist ran into him on Upriver Drive, sending him into the air and over a concrete jersey barrier, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.
Matthew L. Lane, 34, of Spokane, was hospitalized with multiple broken bones and internal and head injuries, said sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Dave Reagan. Lane’s condition was unavailable. He was reportedly riding to Plantes Ferry Park to referee a sporting event when the crash occurred and was wearing a helmet.
Robert C. Jones, the 72-year-old driver suspected of striking Lane, was being checked Thursday evening for a possible medical emergency that may have caused the collision.
According to Deputy Jesse Depriest, a 911 caller reported about 4:10 p.m. that Jones’ gray Malibu was weaving all over the road near Bannen and Forker Roads.
The caller followed Jones as he made a U-turn in the roadway and nearly hit a pole, Reagan said. The witness stayed behind Jones, reporting the Malibu’s direction to Sheriff’s Office dispatchers, as the vehicle headed onto Upriver Drive and went westbound.
Before deputies could arrive, Jones’ car went across the centerline and struck Lane, who was going east in the bicycle lane, Reagan said.
Depriest said there was no immediate evidence that alcohol played a role in the crash.
Inmate recaptured following escape
A Geiger Corrections Center inmate was arrested Thursday, eight days after his escape.
Jeffrey A. Heatwole, 39, was taken into custody near Rowan and Lidgerwood about 1:30 p.m., police spokesman Cpl. Tom Lee said in a news release.
Heatwole had casts on both arms and told police he’d broken them during his escape from Geiger, Lee said.
He also had numerous cuts, which he said were caused by the razor wire that surrounds the prison.
Heatwole escaped between midnight and 6 a.m. April 5 after he made his bunk look like it was occupied, then broke out a window and jumped over a fence, officials said.
He was awaiting trial on charges of assault, harassment, taking a motor vehicle without the owner’s permission and malicious mischief.
Spokane Valley
Transient wanted in arson of home
A transient is wanted in a Spokane Valley arson, officials said Thursday.
A warrant was issued for Austin T. Merrick, 21, on Thursday in connection with a house fire in the 4900 block of East First Avenue on April 7, said Spokane Valley Fire Department spokesman Bill Clifford.
“It was an obvious arson,” Fire Marshal Kevin Miller said. Multiple attempts were made to set the house on fire, but efforts were successful in only two rooms. Firefighters contained the fires.
The damage was estimated at $4,000, Miller said.
Merrick is white, 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds.
He has a shaved head with brown stubble hair and a small patch of hair below his lip.
He also goes by the nickname Freedom. Merrick has been seen in southwest Spokane Valley.
Anyone with information on Merrick is asked to call (509) 242-8477.
Compiled from staff
and wire reports