Woman Dies After Falling From Blazer Family Had Just Been At Thanksgiving Dinner

A Spokane woman died Thursday after falling from a Chevy Blazer traveling about 60 miles per hour. Her husband was driving and their two sons were on board.

Gail Marie McCarthy, 47, was pronounced dead at the scene at the 7800 block of East Elk/Chattaroy Road. She died of severe head injuries, Spokane Sheriff spokesman Dave Reagan said.

“She leaped from the vehicle, which was going between 55 and 60 miles-per-hour, but at this point were not calling it a suicide,” Reagan said.

McCarthy, her husband, Paul McCarthy, and their 5- and 3-year-old sons had gone to her parents house outside of Elk for Thanksgiving dinner. She apparently had an argument with another family member, Reagan said.

Paul McCarthy told sheriff’s deputies the family immediately left and was driving back to their home at the 2900 block of East Liberty when his wife jumped from their Chevy S-10 Blazer.

Paramedics and the sheriff’s department responded to the call just after 3 p.m. and found McCarthy’s body on the road, Reagan said.

“Some alcohol was involved,” Reagan said, “but at this point it’s hard to say how much of a factor it was in this case.”

Reagan said there were about 10 adults in the home at the time of the argument. The sheriff’s department is continuing its investigation.

The Elk/Chattaroy road was closed from 3:30 p.m. until 7 p.m.

, DataTimes