Woman hit by truck declared dead

Doctors have declared a pedestrian struck by a pickup in downtown Spokane dead, Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center confirmed Friday.

Mary Vedder, 45, remained on life support so her organs could be donated, a nursing supervisor said Friday night.

Vedder suffered a head injury Thursday when she was hit in a crosswalk by the truck making a left turn at First Avenue and Post Street.

Police said it did not appear that drugs, alcohol or recklessness were factors in the accident, and the driver has not been cited. An investigation is continuing, police said in a news release.

Staff and wire reports

Teens pull boy, 5, from Spokane River

A 5-year-old boy was breathing with assistance at a local hospital Friday evening after nearly drowning earlier in the day in the Spokane River, the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department reported.

The boy, who is from Spirit Lake, was with his grandmother, wading in the river about 2 p.m. at Black Bay Park in Post Falls and found himself in a spot too deep, Sgt. Matt Street said.

Three teens heard the grandmother yelling for help, pulled the boy from the river and began CPR, Street said. The boy, whose name was not released, was taken to Kootenai Medical Center and was expected to be transported by helicopter to a Spokane hospital, Street said.

Street said the boy’s heart was revived and he was breathing with assistance.

Jonathan Brunt

Fourth of July will affect services

Government offices and other services will be affected today by the Independence Day holiday:

Banks: Most will be closed, although some grocery store branches will be open.

Buses: Bus routes will operate on Sunday-and- holiday schedules.

Garbage: Collection will be normal this week in Spokane and areas served by Waste Management Services. Garbage facilities and transfer stations will be closed today.

Government: Spokane County commissioners will not meet Tuesday. City swimming pools and golf courses will be open all weekend.

Libraries: Closed in Spokane, Spokane County and Coeur d’Alene.

Liquor stores: Stores in Washington and Idaho will be open.

Mail: No mail service.

Parking meters: Meters in downtown Spokane are free.

Staff reports