Spokane7
61°
March 15, 2010 in City
Driver pleads not guilty in crash that killed Spokane cyclist
David Squires is seen in a family photo with his wife, Christy Fowler. Squires was killed while riding a bicycle by a motorist who fled, but later came back to the scene. JESSE TINSLEY jesset@spokesman.com
(Full-size photo)
A Spokane Valley bar owner pleaded not guilty Monday to charges of vehicular homicide and hit-and run in connection with a crash that killed a bicyclist earlier this month.
Scott C. Reckord, 49, appeared in Spokane County Superior Court with his attorney, Carl Oreskovich. The initial trial date, which attorneys acknowledged was not likely to be met, was set for June 7.
Reckord, the owner of Sullivan Scoreboard, did not comment after the hearing. He’s charged in connection with a March 1 collision that killed 56-year-old David L. Squires, a father of six who was riding a bicycle through the crosswalk at Division Street and Sprague Avenue.
Witnesses said Reckord was driving his silver Dodge pickup north on Division and hit Squires as Reckord turned west onto Sprague. The collision knocked Squires from his bike, and Reckord’s truck then ran him over, witnesses told police.
A woman and her son chased Reckord’s truck, flashing their lights and honking their horn to get his attention, according to police records. Officers arrested Reckord after he returned to the scene and failed a field sobriety test.
“We are just getting started,” said Oreskovich after the short hearing. “The Reckord family extends its sympathies to Mr. Squires’ family. We think this is a tragic accident and not a crime.”
Oreskovich successfully made the same argument when he represented Clifford Helm after a Nov. 1, 2005, crash that killed five children and seriously injured their father, Jeffrey Schrock. A jury acquitted Helm of vehicular homicide charges in March 2008.
Deputy Spokane County Prosecutor Mary Ann Brady said the felony hit-and-run charge carries between 31 and 41 months in prison if a person with no previous criminal history is found guilty.
Greg Squires, the victim’s brother, said the arraignment Monday was just the first step in a lengthy legal process.
“I think they are just trying to cover for him,” Squires said of Reckord. “He’s just trying to protect himself.”
Closing Geiger: Wise or worrisome? 
BigE on March 15 at 1:47 p.m.
Drunk driving is a crime, he hit someone, killed them and left. He deserves to go to jail, yes we all make mistakes but talk to the kids that have lost their Dad.
spokanada on March 15 at 2:04 p.m.
I usually always take the side of a the victim of a DD but the cyclist shares some of the responsibility. He was riding the wrong way down a one way street.
Mr_Bloggy on March 15 at 2:59 p.m.
The cyclist was within the bounds of the law. The killer wasn’t.
Jury have you reached your verdict?
We have your honor, we find the defendant, Scott Reckord, GUILTY of Vehicular Homicide.
rob_brewer on March 15 at 3:20 p.m.
spokanada - the cyclist was in the crosswalk. Washington state law does not require a cyclist to be moving in a particular direction while in a crosswalk, nor does it require a specific direction relative to the direction of traffic.
Dazzeetrader11 on March 15 at 3:55 p.m.
You guys are SO anxious to convict this fella. Niether was in the right. I’ts not clear cut at all. Charge the driver with a DUI or charge him with leaving the scene…but NOT murder. You don’t know the facts. Both do share in this.. Unfortunately one didn’t survive this most untimely encounter.
Being a bit tipsy might have nothing to do with this outcome. 645 pm…and it’s dark….further though…the rider had common sense? Who knows…you can still be right but dead. ….sorry to say.
theisena on March 15 at 5:01 p.m.
I understand that it’s easy to not notice someone in the crosswalk when you’re turning right—as a frequent pedestrian downtown, and as a cyclist, I’ve learned to be very vigilant when crossing the street for this reason, and as a driver I’ve learned to check the crosswalk before turning. But this driver was turning LEFT from Division onto Sprague. That means he had to wait to cross two lanes of oncoming traffic before he even reached the crosswalk, a wait that should have given him ample time (if he were sober, at least) to see if his path was clear. Have you ever heard of a crosswalk collision where the driver was turning left? I haven’t. I find it hard to fathom that this is just some poor accident where a cyclist zipped out in front of an innocent driver.
Dazzeetrader11 on March 15 at 5:17 p.m.
Go to the site and you’ll understand how this one could happen. Only foolish behavior on both sides. II’m in town for a few weeks and a cyclist was heading south on the sidewalk and didn’t walk his bike. ..when he was in the crosswalk. He was going so fast he couldn’t stop wither…but there he was…same crosswalk, same street…same everything. COuldn’t be seen….and the left turn onto SPraque by my truck almost nailed him. He cussed and yelled but were laws broken? Not sure…and it wouldn’t have mattered when he was sent sailing…cyclist don’t have the right to be careless so some poor schlubb hits them. …an dI wasn’t drinking….high noon. Just couldn’t adjust quickly enough…..so let’s not lay blame when you weren’t there when it was dark…nightime……and dangerous.
BitofBacon on March 15 at 5:42 p.m.
theisena-If he was turning left onto Sprague from Division, he did not have to wait for oncoming traffic because Division is a one-way northbound street at that intersection.
joshter4 on March 15 at 6:58 p.m.
At this point who is right or wrong should not be the most important point of this story, I feel for the Squire family to have lost someone they all loved and cared so deeply about, the only people that really know how things actulally occured are the two people that were there, the deceased and the person that hit him. As much as we all do not want to accept something that we did that was so horrible, sometimes things happen that we do not expect that may me beyond our control, but if you own a bar and have control of a liquor license then you should know better than anyone to not get behind the wheel of any vehicle and drive under the influence, have a lot of us done this yes, I feel for both families, for the Squire family for their loss and for the person who hit him and his family for what they will always have to go through and remember what occurred. It is not our choice to judge or convict, that will be done in a court of law, but my sympathy is with the family that lost their husband, son, father, brother, and a good friend.
Orange on March 15 at 7:35 p.m.
Yawn
spokanada on March 15 at 7:36 p.m.
the law needs to be clarified. It contradicts itself a couple times when it comes to cyclists. That’s why this situation is so tricky.
With that being said, my mom taught me to walk my bike across the crosswalk.
spokane_boy on March 15 at 10:04 p.m.
spokanada, you’re wrong twice. He wasn’t riding the wrong way on a one way—he was in a crosswalk. And the law is not that tricky—facts are that Reckord was driving drunk (a crime), and he fled the scene after the accident HE CAUSED (also clearly a crime). As far as the bike rider, it’s legal to ride a bike in a crosswalk.
Daisy, “a bit tipsy?” Give me a break. Reckord was DRUNK. Being over the legal limit has everything to do with not having reactions required to safely control a motor vehicle. Clearly, fault is on the driver in this instance. And you’re clearly on the side of the driver: are you a relation, friend, acquaintance, or employee of his?
Bottom line, cyclists lose in two ways in motor vehicle collisions: one, in the crash itself with human flesh vs. steel, and secondly, in court with the criminal and civil decisions that have historically favored motor vehicle drivers. Reckord hired Oreskovich—the lawyer who successfully had Clifford Helm acquitted after Helm killed, with his truck, FIVE children of the Schrock family. And Reckord just pled not guilty to vehicular homicide (vehicular homicide is not the same as the charge of murder) and hit and run.
For the meanwhile (sorry Reckford employees, but these are the cards dealt you): I will definitely not be patronizing Reckord’s business, the Sullivan Scoreboard, and will be asking my friends to do the same.
spokanada on March 15 at 10:20 p.m.
thanks for your two cents. However,
Riding on the Road - When riding on a roadway, a cyclist has all the rights and responsibilities of a vehicle driver (RCW 46.61.755). Cyclists who violate traffic laws may be ticketed (RCW 46.61.750).
spokanada on March 15 at 10:21 p.m.
and another,
Riding at Night - For night bicycle riding, a white front light (not a reflector) visible for 500 feet and a red rear reflector are required. A red rear light may be used in addition to the required reflector (RCW 46.61.780).
spokanada on March 15 at 10:22 p.m.
wait one more,
1) Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at a rate of speed less than the normal flow of traffic at the particular time and place shall ride as near to the right side of the right through lane as is safe except as may be appropriate while preparing to make or while making turning movements, or while overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction. A person operating a bicycle upon a roadway or highway other than a limited-access highway, which roadway or highway carries traffic in one direction only and has two or more marked traffic lanes, may ride as near to the left side of the left through lane as is safe. A person operating a bicycle upon a roadway may use the shoulder of the roadway or any specially designated bicycle lane if such exists.
spokanada on March 15 at 10:26 p.m.
I accept your apology.
To say that the victim was not in the wrong is ignorant. I understand that the suspect was drunk and he shouldn’t have been on the road but this accident could have happened to you or me.
Bikers need to obey the laws of the road. In a collision with a motor vehicle the lose 100% of the time.
And your response is……..
Dazzeetrader11 on March 15 at 10:44 p.m.
OK..then do you know his blood alcohol? Either of you geniuses? Do you know if this particular driver had impaired reflexes? Do you know the relationship of 0.08 to impaired reflexes? DO you know if the bike rider would have been killed without impaired reflexes? Keen differences and questions that must be answer before you convict this driver in the press or in court. Wait for the evidence please.
And no…I don’t know the driver. Wouldn’t know him if I was standing next to him.
spokanada on March 15 at 10:52 p.m.
My point is that this accident could have happened if I was the driver, my grandmother was the driver, or any other sober person was the driver.
PlanB on March 18 at 8:08 p.m.
It’s sure nice to see that there are so many people here that apparently have a super human ability to react, bending space and time to maneuver a vehicle away from a cyclist that runs into you, in the dark. Makes me feel so safe.
As has been pointed out here and in other posts, the cyclist broke several laws. If the incident had not happened, the driver would have not broken any. Not that it really matters but it sure doesn’t condemn the driver.
Have a little empathy. For both people.
ambworth on March 19 at 2:18 p.m.
First and foremost if he was drinking and driving he needs to be charged for that, When you decide to drink and drive your putting everyone else at risk as well as yourself. Now if the cyclist was in wrong that needs to be accounted for as well but one serious issue hes not here to state what happened. Can we all say that if he wasn’t drinking this accident would not have happened no we cant we don’t know. Either way its a terrible tragedy that both families will never forget. I just hope he learns not to drink and drive after this.
Spokanight on March 22 at 5:11 p.m.
From what I’ve heard the cyclist wasn’t wearing a helmet and he wasn’t hit by the driver. He ran his bike into the driver’s truck. Driving while intoxiated yes, I don’t agree with that and he should be charged. However, Division and Sprague is a HORRIBLE intersection as is for accidents and such. There’s three sides to every story. Yours, mine and the truth.