In brief: Fatal crash blamed on icy road

A man died when his pickup truck crashed Wednesday morning northwest of Spokane as icy roads made the morning drive hazardous in some locations.

The driver of a 2007 GMC pickup apparently lost control on a slippery roadway, ran off the north side of Government Way and flipped the vehicle, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. The Sheriff’s Office withheld the man’s name.

The crash was reported by a passing motorist at 6:03 a.m., who said the victim was unresponsive. Shortly after deputies arrived at the scene, they pronounced him dead.

Deputy Tom Warner said it appeared the truck was headed west on Government Way when the driver lost control near the intersection of Aubrey L. White Parkway.

Overnight rain had frozen, making roads icy in spots, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Ice also caused problems for motorists elsewhere. The Washington State Patrol responded to an accident south of Spangle at Bradshaw Road on U.S. Highway 195. Authorities requested a sander truck at the hill on Hatch Road in southwest Spokane.

Mike Prager

SNAP offers energy assistance

Members of households seeking heating assistance can begin scheduling appointments on Friday.

SNAP Energy Program officials expect to fill a final 6,000 appointments for the current season. The help is not designed to pay a household’s entire energy bill but to help families get through the winter.

Call (509) 242-2376 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Appointments also can be made online at www.snapwa.org.

Kevin Graman