Driver badly hurt when pickup leaves road, hits tree

Sun., Dec. 19, 2004

From staff reports

A man suffered severe injuries Saturday evening when the pickup he was driving crashed into a tree south of Spokane Valley.

The man, whose name was not released, was northbound about 6:45 p.m. on Dishman-Mica Road about a half-mile north of Madison Road when he lost control of the vehicle, said Spokane Sheriff’s Deputy Mike Brooks.

The Mazda pickup, which had Washington plates, drifted from the road, flew over a metal barrier on the east side of the road and smashed into a tree, starting a fire.

The driver, who was traveling alone, crawled from the pickup to avoid the fire, Brooks said.

The initial investigation indicated that he was not wearing a seat belt, Brooks said. He suffered severe injuries, including a possible broken pelvis, but was expected to live. He was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Medical Center.

Firefighters from Spokane County Fire District 8 extinguished the fire.

Alcohol was not a factor in the crash, Brooks said.

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