Officer in fatal crash is 8-year veteran

The Spokane police officer who struck a pedestrian with his patrol car Sunday night submitted a blood sample and is on paid leave. The officer, whose name has not been released, is an eight-year veteran. He was taken to the Public Safety Building after the crash and was asked to provide the blood sample, which is routine in serious injury or fatality collision probes, police said. Test results will be available in six to eight weeks. The victim, John A. Van Curler, 52, was pronounced dead at a downtown hospital. Van Curler was struck at or near the intersection of North Monroe Street and West Montgomery Avenue about 10:30 p.m. on Sunday. Investigators have not said if the officer was driving with his lights or his sirens on, or at what speed. He was responding to a report of trouble unknown at a house on West Spofford Avenue.