Man killed, teen injured when pickup crashes into abutment on Greene

A 32-year-old man driving a small pickup was killed and his 14-year-old male passenger was seriously injured when their vehicle hit an abutment at Greene and Illinois about 2:15 p.m. Sunday, Spokane Police said.

Traffic was diverted in both directions on the Greene-Market arterial after the crash.

The yellow Mazda 1600 pickup was apparently headed north up the hill on Greene, police spokesman Dick Cottam said in a news release.

It turned left, then headed directly into the large concrete railroad pier between the north and southbound lanes, Cottam said. No other vehicles were involved.

There appeared to be no skid marks from braking, police said. The pickup had no air bags, and it was not known if either occupant was wearing a seat belt.

The teenager underwent surgery Sunday night and was listed in serious condition, Cottam said.

The names of the two victims will be released after families are notified, perhaps today, Cottam said.

A man who said he was the owner of the pickup told police at the scene that he had purchased the pickup two days ago and had allowed the driver to borrow it about 8 a.m. Sunday.