Driver Jailed After Man Hit In Parking Lot Dispute Outside Backdoor Tavern

A dispute outside a Coeur d’Alene bar sent one man to the hospital early Wednesday and another to jail, accused of running down the injured man with his car.

Michael Lee Baysinger, 25, was booked into the Kootenai County Jail on a charge of aggravated battery. Witnesses told police Baysinger revved his gray Ford Thunderbird about 2:05 a.m., pulled it onto Appleway Avenue, raced back into the Backdoor Tavern parking lot and hit 36-year-old Edward Castleton. Both had been drinking, police said.

Castleton, of Coeur d’Alene, was treated at Kootenai Medical Center for several severe scrapes on his back and legs and a large cut on his head. He refused further treatment and was released.

Coeur d’Alene police arrested Baysinger at his home at 2119 N. 12th. Baysinger admitted running over Castleton and told officers he wanted to turn himself in, according to a police report.

“Is the guy I hit OK?” Baysinger reportedly asked officers.

According to the report, Baysinger also admitted drinking three beers, but passed a field sobriety test.

Castleton’s attempt to intervene in an argument between Anthony Blass, a friend, and Baysinger, apparently provoked the attack. It was not known what the men were arguing about, but several witnesses told police Baysinger threatened to run them over before getting into his car.

Moments later, Baysinger drove through the Motel 6 parking lot, jumped a curb separating it from the bar property and slammed into Castleton, knocking him back several feet. Baysinger then sped east on Appleway Avenue, the police report said.

About a half-dozen other people in the parking lot when the incident occurred were not injured. , DataTimes MEMO: Cut in Spokane edition