Driver Jailed After Crash Kills Passenger

A Waitsburg, Wash., woman was jailed on suspicion of vehicular homicide after a fatal accident early Monday west of Spokane.

Julie M. Powell, 21, suffered minor injuries in the one-car accident that killed her passenger, Michael D. Roth, 21, of Walla Walla.

The Washington State Patrol said Powell lost control of her 1985 Mazda sports car about 12:30 a.m. on a turn in the 5300 block of West Government Way. The car struck a rocky embankment and rolled several times.

Roth died at the scene of massive head injuries, the WSP said. He and Powell were wearing seat belts.

The State Patrol declined to say whether alcohol was involved in the accident, but a vehicular homicide charge requires a showing of either negligence or drunken driving.

Powell was being held in jail late Monday in lieu of $10,000 bail. , DataTimes