Spokane Driver Killed In Collision

FOR THE RECORD: 9-14-96 John Luppert Sr., who died in a car accident this week, is survived by his wife, four children and three step-children. A story in Wednesday’s paper gave an incomplete list of survivors.

A 79-year-old Spokane man was killed Tuesday afternoon in a two-car collision on the South Hill, police said.

John Luppert Sr. was driving east on 16th Avenue at 4:15 p.m. when the accident occurred at the Cedar Street intersection.

Luppert was pronounced dead after being taken to a local hospital.

The other driver, Lester D. Harder, 58, of Spokane, was traveling south on Cedar in a 1992 Pontiac Grand Am, authorities said. He was treated and released.

The driver’s side door of Luppert’s 1985 Chevrolet Celebrity station wagon was caved in from the impact of the crash. Witnesses said the Grand Am was traveling at about 30 mph.

Donald Terrill was walking to his home on Cedar when he saw the collision from a block away.

“I remembered thinking that there sure was a lot of traffic out there,” Terrill said.

“Then the blue Chevrolet pulled out in front of the white Grand Am and that was it.”

Terrill said he ran to his home across the street and called 911.

Margaret Linahan, who also lives on Cedar, was doing yard work and heard the collision.

“I went over there, and the guy in the white car was slumped against the wheel. I asked him if he was OK, and he nodded that he was but didn’t say anything.”

Police are still investigating the accident.

Luppert is survived by his wife Mardi and their son, John Luppert Jr. of Spokane.

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