Spokane7
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February 11, 2011 in City
Magnesium Road car crash claims woman, 42
A 42-year-old Spokane woman riding in the rear of a sport coupe was killed Thursday night when its speeding driver lost control and crashed into a tree on Magnesium Road on Spokane’s North Side.
The name of the woman who died shortly after arriving at a local hospital was not released pending results of an autopsy today, said Spokane sheriff’s Detective Dave Thornburg.
Witnesses told sheriff’s investigators that the driver of the 1994 Mazda MX6 was seen speeding on Magnesium Road shortly before the 11 p.m. crash at a pair of curves on Magnesium between Crestline and Market streets.
The driver, identified as Lyle Eutsler, 26, was taken to a local hospital where he was in serious condition today with a collapsed lung, Thornburg said. He is expected to survive.
A 21-year-old woman in the front passenger seat suffered minor injuries.
Investigators learned that Eutsler and the two passengers had been at a birthday party earlier and that Eutsler had consumed alcohol prior to the crash.
The driver of the Mazda had passed another vehicle on Magnesium at a high rate of speed just before the crash, detectives said.
Eutsler was arrested on suspicion of vehicular homicide. Results of a blood sample taken from Eutsler will take six to eight weeks to process, Thornburg said. The Mazda was seized as evidence. A formal charge is pending, he said.
MLK Jr. Way opens Thursday 
mikeln on February 11 at 9:00 a.m.
Why does it take so long to test the blood of a suspected drunk driver?
mikep on February 11 at 9:09 a.m.
The WSP toxicology lab gets backed up with evidence as I understand it. This has been an issue for some time. The website says they get 10,000 samples a year. But you have a very good question. Thanks.
Kivaari on February 11 at 9:38 a.m.
It takes so long for the reason Mike Prager identifies. Part of the issue is maintaining control of the evidence. The court system demands full tracking of evidence that you could not have at a private lab. The test could be done quickly, if an officer goes with the sample, and literally walks it through the entire procedure. The officer must testify to that control. The civilian lab techs are not court certified. Each time a new tech is used, they would be put through the ringer proving their competence. The WSP and WS Toxicologist have the bona fides to testify. Most defense lawyers will stipulate to the state techs competency. Why is the lab backed up? Because the legislature has not seen fit to spend enough money of facilities, equipment and personnel.
Teseract on February 11 at 1:16 p.m.
You have to be pretty drunk or a really bad driver to lose control on that S-curve. That said, there isn’t a guard rail, I bet he spun off and landed rear end first at the bottom of the hill.
Orange on February 11 at 3:40 p.m.
Protocols are difficult in labs regarding legal matters. You don’t want evidence thrown out due to a botched test. Let them take their time. You in a hurry?
Thayne on February 11 at 3:40 p.m.
Well all this kid has to do is get the same lawyer as the stockbroker who wasn’t convicted yesterday of vehicular manslaughter, even though his blood alcohol was 21/2 times the legal limit. Between that travesty of justice and the intoxicated fireman last week, why do we even have DUI rules? It doesn’t seem anyone gets convicted.
spokanecougar on February 11 at 3:41 p.m.
Idiots. These people are nothing but dumb stupid idiots.
STOP DRINKING AND DRIVING IDIOTS!!!!!!!
hardwroc on February 16 at 9:23 a.m.
Teseract, read the part about hitting the tree. Sliding broadside into any object is a high risk accident likely to cause severe injuries and as we see here death.
Try running full speed into a tree on foot and then multiply that to automotive speed and you get the idea.