Man Killed In Apparent Suicide

A Spokane man once named Citizen of the Year in Kennewick, Wash., apparently killed himself when he drove his car into Hayden Lake Sunday night.

Walter J. Burns III, 38, had severe emotional trouble and alcohol problems prior to the accident, according to a Kootenai County sheriff’s report.

About 10 p.m. Sunday, he drove his car down the Honeysuckle Beach boat ramp and into Hayden Lake, according to the sheriff’s report.

A witness called for emergency help. Sheriff’s deputies tried to rescue the man but were unable to because the lake was so cold, according to the report.

Members of the dive rescue team pulled Burns from the car. Burns was pronounced dead at Kootenai Medical Center.

Capt. Ben Wolfinger said it appears Burns did not try to escape from the vehicle.

Burns was a past president of the Kennewick Chamber of Commerce and member of the Kennewick Rotary club. He was a Spokane WAMPUM board member and had worked for the Wishing Star Foundation in Spokane.

, DataTimes MEMO: Cut in the Spokane edition.