Motorcyclist, rider seriously injured
A motorcyclist and his passenger were seriously injured Thursday when a pickup hit them on a highway near Rathdrum.
John R. Chavez, 34, of Spirit Lake, was eastbound on Boekel Road about 3:50 p.m. when he came to a stop sign at state Highway 41. After stopping, he attempted to cross the highway and struck a southbound 2007 Harley-Davidson motorcycle driven by William J. Norman, 48, of Rathdrum, according to the Idaho State Police. Riding on the back was Suzanne Cole, 46, whose hometown was unknown.
Both were taken to Kootenai Medical Center with serious injuries, and both were scheduled to be flown to Spokane hospitals for further treatment Thursday night, according to police.
Their conditions were unknown late Thursday.
Chavez was cited for failing to yield, police said.
Spokane
Driver leads police on chase into city
A woman avoided the shock of a Spokane Valley police Taser Thursday evening and led officers on a chase that ended in downtown Spokane.
A caller reported that a woman was driving erratically when she stopped in at the Money Tree in the 4800 block of East Sprague, according to officers at the scene.
An officer stopped by to check on the woman, and while he was interviewing her, she bolted toward her Subaru wagon. The officer tried to use his Taser on the fleeing woman, but the electrical contacts did not lodge properly, and she was able to drive away.
The woman got on Interstate 90 toward Spokane. She took the Division Street exit, and officers said they began to fear for other drivers’ safety. One officer used his vehicle to nudge the car, which caused it to spin out near the intersection of Sprague and Pine.
Jessica A. Randock, 21, of Nine Mile Falls, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence as well as eluding a police officer.
Her passengers, Kent N. Durham, 24, a transient, and Jon M. Berroteran, 25, address unknown, were arrested on suspicion of possessing methamphetamine.
America’s Kids Run deadline tonight
Midnight tonight is the deadline for children ages 5 to 12 to register for America’s Kids Run.
Registrations must be mailed by tonight to qualify for the $7 on-time entry fee. The race takes place April 21, and more than 3,000 kids are expected to complete the age-matched distances ranging from one-half to two miles, organizers said.
The event began 22 years ago as Junior Bloomsday, but the name changed as the run became the model for more than 150 runs across the nation.
Entry forms are available at all Spokane area schools, as well as running shops, Global Credit Union branches and online at www.americaskidsrun.org. All kids receive a T-shirt during the run.
Spokane Valley
EV concert helps fight genocide
Five bands will play tonight in a genocide awareness and fundraising concert at the East Valley High School Commons.
All proceeds from the “Make Some Noise for Darfur” concert organized by East Valley students will be donated to CARE and the International Rescue Committee, said EVHS teacher Peggy Estey.
The concert is scheduled from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Cost is $3 with student identification and $5 without. Bands playing are Until August Ends, Making the Day, Starflight Ambush, Small Town Nation and Vax Lavala.
From staff reports