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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Police: Knife-point kidnapping closed U.S. Highway 95

Damien Bunch (Kootenai County Sheriff's Department)
An estranged Spokane couple shut down U.S Highway 95 near Athol today after police say the man held the woman hostage at knife point. Damien L. Bunch, 27, was arrested after police investigating a crash about 7:15 a.m. found him holding Deanna Lafrombois, 29, at knife point inside a car at milepost 444, the State Police reported. Police were able to rescue Lafrombois after about 30 minutes spent negotiating with Bunch, according to a news release. Lafrombois was taken to Kootenai Medical Center with knife wounds. Bunch faces charges of kidnapping, aggravated assault, aggravated battery and possession of methamphetamine. He’s already on probation in Spokane County after pleading guilty to harassment in December. He was credited for 58 days served in jail. In February, Bunch and Lafrombois petitioned for divorce, according to news archives. Bunch also has convictions in Spokane for domestic violence harassment and first-degree criminal trespass from 2007.