Woman hit by vehicle, killed along Maple Street

A woman pedestrian struck and killed on North Maple Street Monday night had been refused service by a bartender because she was intoxicated moments before the accident a block away. Spokane police today said they were investigating the death on Maple Street near Knox Avenue. Officer Jennifer DeRuwe said the woman was walking north in the travel lane about 9 p.m. She was dressed in dark clothing. The case has been referred to detectives for follow up, but it appeared the driver did not see the woman soon enough to stop. The woman’s identity was not available today from the medical examiner’s office. Her relatives had not yet been notified. Just before the accident, the woman reportedly had tried to enter the 7th Rail tavern, 1911 N. Maple St., but was refused entrance by the bartender who had gone out the door and told the woman she had to leave, said tavern owner Leslie Hartnett. At the time, she was carrying a grocery bag with beer and was holding an open container. The bartender told the woman that she could not drink beer outside the tavern, and he tried to help her on her way. The accident occurred a little more than a block north of the tavern entrance. Hartnett said she wants the residents of the area know that “we don’t over-serve people.” A woman matching the same description had tried to gain entrance to another establishment earlier in the evening, but was reportedly told to leave, Hartnett said.