Driver in fatal crash jailed on drug charge

A Deer Park man involved in a fatal accident July 16 turned himself in to authorities on Wednesday.

Authorities developed probable cause to arrest Jonathon Bales, 21, after their investigation showed Bales caused the head-on collision with 54-year-old Rene Blaume, killing her on impact.

Bales, who was 20 at the time of the accident, was booked into Spokane County Jail for possession of drug paraphernalia and minor in possession/consumption of alcohol, according to Detective Dave Thornburg of the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.

Bales submitted to a blood test the night of the crash, and marijuana was found in the sample taken from him, Thornburg said. Investigators also found drug paraphernalia and a cooler containing several beers when they searched his 1985 Pontiac Firebird.

Bales was driving southbound in the northbound lane of Wandermere Road when he struck Blaume, who was riding a Racer iScooter.