Car In Near-Fatal Hit-And-Run Found

Sun., Jan. 17, 1999

Police have found the vehicle they believe hit and nearly killed a woman in north Spokane last month.

Acting on a tip Friday afternoon, investigators recovered a 1996 Suzuki Sidekick that recently was repaired at a Spokane body shop. According to a police press release, the white sportutility vehicle had front-end damage that cost several thousand dollars to repair.

The owner of that vehicle, whom police did not identify, has not yet given a statement to investigators. He or she faces charges of fleeing the scene of an injury accident.

Wendy O’Brien, 32, suffered broken bones, internal injuries and head wounds when she was struck by a car while crossing North Monroe Street. She was listed in critical condition for more than a week after the Dec. 29 accident, and is now undergoing rehabilitation therapy.

O’Brien was wearing a dark coat and crossing at mid-block when she was struck.

Investigators said it was possible she was not seen by the car’s driver.

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