Driver with medical problem dies after hitting pedestrian

A driver has died after crashing into a pedestrian in northwest Spokane just before noon, police say, and the pedestrian is in critical condition. The driver was headed south on Assembly Street just south of Wellesley Avenue when he lost control of his car, apparently after having a medical problem, and hit a female pedestrian and a sign for an espresso stand on the west side of Assembly. Firefighters said that when they arrived, both were in critical condition. They were transported by ambulance within 15 minutes. One person was taken to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center; the other was taken to Providence Holy Family Hospital. Assembly between Wellesley and where it becomes Northwest Boulevard was closed for several hours while traffic investigators examined the scene, said Spokane police Officer Teresa Fuller. The area reopened about 3 p.m. The vehicle ended up in a yard.