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September 22, 2011 in News, City
No charges for deputies in crash that killed diabetic man
Prosecutors have declined to pursue criminal charges against law enforcement involved in a fatal crash with a diabetic man in June.
Daniel Marinovich, 50, died after his red Ford Taurus ran over spike strips on Highway 395 but continued for about a mile on a flat tire before crossing into oncoming traffic and hitting a semi-truck in the Wandermere area.
Deputies Jennifer Wrotenbery and Mike Northway were pursuing Marinovich after hearing reports of an erratic driver.
Washington State Patrol Trooper Terry VanWeerdhuizen deployed the spike strips on Highway 395 near Hatch Road.
Investigators believe Marinovich was traveling between 60 and 80 mph as he abruptly swerved, slowed and accelerated during the pursuit.
The Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office said the response from law enforcement was appropriate.
“There is no basis for any charges to be filed against any law enforcement officers involved in the pursuit,” according to a report.
Friends say Marinovich was a severe diabetic who was prone to erratic behavior.
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oneanddone on September 22 at 11:32 a.m.
If anyone should be indicted it’s those “friends” who knew he was erratic AND drove a car.
PlanB on September 22 at 11:33 a.m.
Seems reasonable.
SpokyDaBear on September 22 at 11:47 a.m.
Who gave him a license?
valleyman on September 22 at 11:54 a.m.
The correct outcome to a most unfortunate situation…
DavidBray on September 22 at 1:58 p.m.
Don’t know if the death of a man who was obviously having difficulty functioning was “correct” or not. That seems pretty arrogant to me.
I wonder how many innocent people, or people who broke some minor law in this country, would still be alive if the police acted more reasonably or with more restraint.
Personally, I suspect that the people who are hired and trained for police work come from the wrong aptitude or profile and their training isn’t sufficient. Maybe they get too jaded too young and need more life experience before they become cops? Too many people have lost their lives to “appropriate” police action.
lewis8457 on September 22 at 2:03 p.m.
most police are ex military folks, in the military your taught to kill.
RockChalk on September 22 at 2:08 p.m.
Spoky,
Why would this man NOT be given a license?
valleyman on September 22 at 2:30 p.m.
By correct outcome I am referring to no charges being filed.
By your thought process, how are police supposed to deal with a driver who is driving in a manner that is endangering others (several calls to police from civilians regarding this driver if I am not mistaken?) Using means such as stop sticks to end a dangerous driver’s driving is not unreasonable, nor is the pursuit of a driver who refuses to stop when driving in a reckless manner.
How is any of that symptomatic of police acting inappropriately?
jddavis on September 22 at 2:48 p.m.
Lewis—in the military you are not taught to kill; you are taught HOW to kill. There is a huge difference…
BitofBacon on September 22 at 3:07 p.m.
@ Squid- “100% certain?” Were you there in the patrol car with the deputies? Where do you get these opinions?
D Statler on September 22 at 3:32 p.m.
Very sad outcome from a very sad situation. Diabetic swings are a difficult thing to live with and surely around. I have a co-worker that I am scared to leave alone. I could easily see how this could happen. Lets hope that there may be a lesson here for Police, family and friends of all Diabetics.
TheRoyLarsen on September 22 at 3:40 p.m.
Bit,
Squid gets his opinions from the Spokesman Review. How more certain do you expect him to be?
TheRoy
valleyman on September 22 at 6:29 p.m.
Squid: More baseless accusations from your treasure chest of anti police statements. By saying things like above you make any valid point you may have ever had seem trivial.
Squid on September 22 at 6:59 p.m.
Baseless? Which part? The many miles between Deer Park and Wandermere? The many miles of sandy roadside between Deer Park and Wandermere? The fact that this man was reported to the Police when he left Deer park, and the time it takes to get from Deer Park to Wandermere? The mile or more he traveled after the spike strips flattened his tires? The fact that the police should have known he was incoherent from observing him? The fact that his head was removed from the trailer? The fact that the police had plenty of time and distance to fix the problem? The fact that the police had literally THOUSANDS of options that would have ended this without killing anyone? The fact that the police ended this the easy and fast way with a movie type climax?
Which part? I’m a little slow, so help me out here. I’d hate to look trivial and invalid with my baseless accusations. I really shouldn’t expect the popo to do their job, should I?
Maybe you should read this: http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/jun/20/driver-being-pursued-spokane-county-deputies-died-/ I can find more detailed stories, but I’ll just stick with this one.
valleyman on September 22 at 7:38 p.m.
Say what you want Squid… you are without any credibility at this time.
Squid on September 22 at 8:21 p.m.
Looks to me like you are the one without credibility, since you can’t tell me which part was incorrect. Until you tell me what is incorrect, my post remains correct and credible, doesn’t it? Or you can go with the “it’s wrong, because I said it is” approach. That always worked in grade school.
By the way, do cops in general, have any credibility these days, Valleyman? Looks like you guys lose more and more credibility every day. Sad to watch, but nice to see the truth finally coming to light. Looks like the public and the Feds are onto you guys. I can’t wait to see what happens next. I enjoy every second of it, especially after you guys looted the money from my friend’s dead body, and lied about so many things that affected me. What comes around…. No sympathy from me. Hope all of you who deserve it, get thrown in prison. Cops don’t do well there. Looks to me that since you always defend the cops who are criminals, you must be a criminal as well.
lewis8457 on September 23 at 7:11 a.m.
jdavis i was in the army i remember being taught many ways of killing someone but i never heard don’t kill.
valleyman on September 23 at 8:24 a.m.
Lewis, I believe that lesson was called rules of engagement.