Injured motorcyclist identified, still critical

A motorcyclist hit by a pickup truck in downtown Spokane during the Monday night rush hour commute remains in critical condition, says Sacred Heart officials.

The 63-year-old motorcyclist, identified by Spokane Police as Douglas Barr, was struck by the truck at the intersection of Sprague Avenue and Browne Street around 5:15 p.m. and suffered life-threatening injuries.

Witnesses say the driver of the truck, identified as Jessup Barker, 21, hit the motorcyclist once and then drove forward, running over Barr’s legs.

An extrication effort followed the crash. Firefighters had to use airbags to lift the pickup truck off …

A motorcyclist hit by a pickup truck in downtown Spokane during the Monday night rush hour commute remains in critical condition, says Sacred Heart officials.

The 63-year-old motorcyclist, identified by Spokane Police as Douglas Barr, was struck by the truck at the intersection of Sprague Avenue and Browne Street around 5:15 p.m. and suffered life-threatening injuries.

Witnesses say the driver of the truck, identified as Jessup Barker, 21, hit the motorcyclist once and then drove forward, running over Barr’s legs.

An extrication effort followed the crash. Firefighters had to use airbags to lift the pickup truck off of the motorcyclist before he could transported to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center.

Both drivers had a green light when they proceeded through the intersection, but police say Barr had the right of way when he was traveling east on Sprague Ave. The pickup truck driver hit him as he was turning south on Browne Street from westbound Sprague Ave.

The crash blocked the intersection for several hours during the busy commute while police investigated the crash.

Police also identified Barr as a city employee as well. City spokeswoman Marlene Feist said Barr works in their Engineering Services department and has been an employee since 1994.

The pickup truck driver, Barker, was not injured during the crash, police said in a news release.

Neither alcohol or speeding appear to be factors in the crash. Police say Barr was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.