In brief: Paramedic in drug program
A paramedic who admitted to stealing prescription drugs from Spokane Fire Department medical boxes is enrolled in a yearlong rehabilitation program that could lead to charges against her being dismissed.
Rebecca Singley, 32, is charged with two felonies – possession of Demerol and possession of morphine – and one misdemeanor, possession of etomidate. She enrolled in a special program for drug addicts operated by Spokane County Superior Court shortly after being formally charged in early August. If she graduates from drug court, the charges against her will be dismissed, Judge Linda Tompkins said.
Meanwhile, Singley has been put on unpaid leave from her paramedic job, said Chief Bobby Williams of the SFD. He expects to recommend disciplinary action once a Fire Department internal investigation is completed within the next few weeks, he said.
On May 30, Singley was found unconscious on the floor of a fire station bathroom after injecting herself with etomidate, a mild sedative. She later admitted to investigators that she had taken and used Demerol, morphine and other pain killers and sedatives from Fire Department medic boxes.
Liberty Lake
Fall from bulldozer injures worker
A construction worker was severely injured Wednesday when he fell off the bulldozer he was driving and was dragged about 20 feet, a fire official said.
Early reports indicated that the bulldozer nearly amputated both the man’s legs.
At 5:20 p.m., the man, whose name was unavailable, was operating the bulldozer while constructing a road at the Legacy Ridge development in Liberty Lake, said Fire Marshal Kevin Miller of the Spokane Valley Fire Department. It was unclear how it happened, but the man fell between the bulldozer’s blade and cab while the equipment was moving.
The man was airlifted to Sacred Heart Medical Center, Miller said. His condition was unavailable.
Safety workers from Apex Construction Co. and the state Department of Labor and Industry are involved in the investigation, Miller said.
Spokane Valley
Man steals bar’s video machine
Spokane Valley Police are seeking the man who stole a $4,000 video game last month from Statz Bar and Grill.
The tabletop Mega Touch machine likely held $300 to $400 cash, according to a news release.
The thief made off with the game about 6 p.m. on Aug. 1, after playing pool at Statz, 12303 E. Trent Ave. He was caught on a security camera.
He is described as white with tattoos on his right arm.
Police ask anyone with information to call Detective Rich Gere at (509) 477-3324 or the Spokane Valley Police tip line at (509) 242-8477.
Drugs blamed in head-on crash
A drug-affected 33-year-old woman fell asleep at the wheel of her car Wednesday morning, hitting another car head-on on Dishman-Mica Road near Hallett Road, according to police.
Spokane County Sheriff’s deputies found drugs and syringes in Joy L. Ferguson’s Ford Taurus after the 5:45 a.m. crash.
Ferguson was driving south on Dishman-Mica when she crossed the centerline and hit a northbound Toyota Corolla, according to a Sheriff’s Office release on the crash.
The driver of that car, 46-year-old Carl R. Lee, tried to avoid Ferguson by driving onto the shoulder, but couldn’t prevent the crash. Lee was injured slightly in the face when he was hit by the airbag.
Deputies suspect that Ferguson had been using cocaine. She was taken to a hospital to be treated for ankle and back injuries, then arrested on charges of driving under the influence of drugs.
Pleasant Grove, Kan.
Chewelah women charged in chase
Two Chewelah, Wash., women were charged Wednesday in connection with a police chase that happened after two highway construction workers were struck and killed.
Ramona Morgan, 48, and Sabrina Morgan, 26, had not been charged in the workers’ deaths, but were charged for allegedly fleeing from police after the accident Tuesday south of Lawrence.
Ramona Morgan was held for investigation of felony fleeing and attempting to elude, misdemeanor reckless driving and five traffic infractions. Authorities said she was driving the truck that fled officers from Douglas County and into Osage County.
Sabrina Morgan was held for investigation of felony aiding a felon.
Osage County Jail officials said Ramona Morgan is the mother of Sabrina Morgan. Ramona Morgan was being held on $2 million bond, and Sabrina Morgan on $1 million bond, jail officials said.
The women are due back in court Sept. 20.
Osage County prosecutors said it would be up to Douglas County prosecutors to decide whether to charge the Morgans in the workers’ deaths.
The fatal hit-and-run accident occurred shortly before 10 a.m. Tuesday in a construction zone on U.S. 59 in Douglas County. Tyrone Korte, 30, of Seneca, and Rolland “Ron” Griffith, 24, of El Dorado, were killed.
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From staff and wire reports