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June 11, 2010 in City
Girl injured in car accident declared brain dead
A 9-year-old girl was declared brain dead today from injuries she suffered in a collision at Monroe Road and Hazard Road Thursday.
The child, identified as Olivia Chaffin, of Deer Park, was riding with her father and grandmother when their vehicle collided with another car that failed to stop at the intersection about 6 p.m.
Chaffin was airlifted to a Spokane hospital with internal injuries, and was declared brain dead about noon today, said Detective Dave Thornburg of the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.
The grandmother, Shirley Chaffin, 64, suffered fractures and was still in stable condition today at a Spokane hospital.
The girl’s father and the driver, 40-year-old Richard Chaffin, had minor injuries. Richard Chaffin began CPR on his daughter after the crash Thursday until medics arrived, Thornburg said.
A pizza delivery driver, identified as Echo Henderson, 24, of Clayton, reportedly failed to stop at a stop sign. Henderson agreed to a voluntary blood draw as part of the investigation.
Thornburg said in a news release that alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the collision.
In a second crash Thursday in north Spokane County, 59-year-old Stephen Guy of Deer Park was killed in a 4:30 p.m. accident in the 1400 block of West Wild Rose Road when his car left the roadway at a high rate of speed, striking three trees and flying through the air.
Thornburg said a medical condition may have caused the man to accelerate and lose control, however autopsy results released today were inconclusive as to whether that was the case.
Toxicology results won’t be known for at least a month, Thornburg said.
Couple acquitted of caging 2 boys 
etorreal on June 11 at 12:32 p.m.
Poorly written article. Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the collision according to who? According to your story, it’s the pizza delivery driver. I’m guessing it’s according to the Detective Thornburg.
addyh on June 11 at 3:14 p.m.
You are correct, the “he” refers to Thornburg. I will change the story, thanks for bringing it to our attention.
Addy Hatch, city editor
montwv2 on June 12 at 8:16 a.m.
Olivia was a beautiful young lady with a heart for adventure. She and my daughter were fast friends early on. It is a tragedy no parent should have to endure. Our thoughts and prayers are with Olivia’s family during this time.
JetBlack on June 12 at 8:28 a.m.
How awful for the family and friends. Pray for the delivery driver too. What an awful thing to happen to both sides. If you accidentally run a stop sign and nothing happens, you just feel anxiety and try to pay closer attention. If you kill a little girl; I have to think your life changes forever.
Next time you get pulled over and want to give the officer a hard time, imagine if this accident was the last one he responded to.
ShaneDiesel on June 18 at 3:47 a.m.
Why are there so many people with “medical conditions” driving around? Jesus Christ! Get a cab!