In brief: King County prosecutor dies at 68
Veteran King County Prosecutor Norm Maleng died Thursday night at Harborview Medical Center after collapsing at a University of Washington event, a hospital spokeswoman said.
Maleng, 68, arrived at the hospital “in full cardiac arrest,” spokeswoman Susan Gregg-Hanson said, adding “nearly one hour of CPR and resuscitation efforts” failed to revive him. He was declared dead at 9:11 p.m., she said. Maleng has been prosecutor of Washington’s largest county since 1978.
“Norm Maleng was a loving husband and father, a man who led with integrity and a deep sense of justice,” his wife, Judy, and son Mark said in a statement issued by the hospital. “He was a giant of a man. The family appreciates the outpouring of sympathy and love for this special man.”
– Associated Press
Spokane County
Teenage girl killed in south county crash
A teenage girl was killed and another seriously injured Thursday night when the car they were in – driven by an unlicensed teenage boy – apparently went out of control near the intersection of Calumet and Marsh roads in south Spokane County, sheriff’s deputies said.
No identities were available late Thursday, but all five teens in the car were reportedly students at Liberty High School.
Spokane County sheriff’s deputies at the scene said a Chevrolet Corsica with three boys and two girls left the gravel roadway and rolled about 100 feet down an embankment. The crash occurred about 8 p.m. One girl suffered severe head injuries and was dead at the scene; the other suffered what deputies called “substantial injuries.”
The site of the crash is classified as a “summer road,” meaning it is generally passable only in dry weather, said sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Dave Reagan.
“It appeared the crash was the result of excessive speed and the driver’s inexperience,” Reagan said in a news release. There was no indication that alcohol was involved.
– Staff reports
Spokane
Toddler still critical day after collision
An 18-month-old Colbert girl remains in critical condition at Sacred Heart Medical Center, after a crash about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Day-Mt. Spokane Road and Highway 2.
Gabriella Autry was with her mother, Belinda Autry, 35, stopped at a traffic light when their Subaru Legacy was hit from behind by a driver in a Chevrolet Blazer, the Washington State Patrol said.
The force of the impact propelled the Subaru into a Volvo in front of Autry’s vehicle.
According to the WSP, the driver of the Blazer, Michael Q. Beckley, 34, of Spokane, was not paying attention. Court records show Beckley has an extensive criminal record, including convictions for driving under the influence, driving with a suspended license, no insurance, possession of a controlled substance and theft.
Gabriella Autry was properly secured in a child safety seat at the time of the crash, officials said. The other drivers were taken to Sacred Heart, where they were treated and released.
Charges in the crash are pending.
– Staff reports