Pickup driver who caused fatal crash gets fine

A fatal car crash near Deer Park this spring was resolved with a $153 fine against the driver who caused the wreck.

Spokane County District Court records show that Robert Henry Kiefer, 72, of Deer Park was cited for failure to keep right in the April 30 accident that killed Spokane Valley resident Sharon Nielsen, 57.

Sheriff’s office spokesman Cpl. Dave Reagan said the case was not referred to the prosecutor’s office for possible criminal charges because an investigation found no basis for a charge.

Tests showed Kiefer hadn’t been drinking or using drugs when he drifted across the centerline with his Dodge Ram pickup and struck Nielsen’s Toyota Matrix on Deer Park-Milan Road. Nor had he been driving recklessly, according to a witness, who said Kiefer had been obeying the 55 mph speed limit.

Reagan said Kiefer told investigators he didn’t believe he fell asleep, but he couldn’t remember what happened. The witness said Kiefer crossed the centerline more than once.

Charges of vehicular homicide or first-degree negligent driving require evidence of alcohol, drugs or recklessness, Reagan noted. Second-degree negligent driving requires evidence of failure to use ordinary care and is an infraction punishable only by a fine.

Deputy prosecutor Clint Francis, who handles vehicular crimes, said Friday that he was consulted informally about the case but that it isn’t unusual for fatal accidents not to be referred formally if there is insufficient evidence for prosecution.

“Sometimes things just happen out there on the road – the minor inadvertencies that might happen to you and me – but that’s not the kind of behavior that’s criminalized,” Francis said.