WSP: Speed a factor in Grant County deputy’s fatal crash

MOSES LAKE — The Washington State Patrol says speeding was a factor in a crash that killed a Grant County Sheriff’s deputy in January. KEPR News reports that the State Patrol estimates that 52-year-old Deputy John Bernard was driving between 77 and 79 mph on a road near Ephrata with a posted limit of 55 mph. The road was wet as well. Bernard’s vehicle skidded off a curve and went airborne for than 20 feet, and then rolled. The deputy was not responding to call at the time when he crashed. Bernard was wearing his seatbelt. Gov. Chris Gregoire and law enforcement officers honored Bernard in a large memorial following his death. He had been with the Grant County Sheriff’s office for four years.