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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Drowning victim in car crash was 22-year-old University High School alumna

A car that crashed into the Spokane River near Flora Road is photographed on Wednesday, Dec 12, 2018. (Kathy Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)

The woman who drowned after her car entered the Spokane River on Wednesday has been identified by the Spokane County Medical Examiner as 22-year-old Rachel F. Bowles of Spokane Valley.

Bowles graduated from University High School and worked at Ferraro’s Family Italian Restaurant in Spokane Valley.

“She had a really good soul and she was always really happy,” said Angie Ferraro Fogal, Bowles’ co-worker of about four years. “Customers loved her.”

At about 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Bowles’ car plunged into the Spokane River in the vicinity of Long Road and Montgomery Avenue near the Centennial Trail in Spokane Valley. The car drove through private property and down a steep embankment, before it came to rest upside down and was partially submerged.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.