Pedestrian injured in morning hit and run

An erratic driver struck a pedestrian, two vehicles and a light pole before fleeing his car on foot early today near Spokane Community College, police say. Christopher L. Smith, 52, was arrested at his home in Deer Park about 2 p.m. today on vehicular assault and hit-and-run charges for the crashes, which occurred at the intersection of Mission Avenue and Green Street about 9:24 a.m., according to the Spokane Police Department. A witness reported a serious collision and said the at-fault driver was north on Green when he crashed into a car, drove onto a curb, struck a light pole, then hit a pedestrian near the intersection before striking another vehicle. Smith continued north through the intersection before abandoning the car and running away. The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries but is in stable condition, police say. The drivers of the struck vehicles had minor injuries. Collision investigators spent hours collecting evidence. Police thanked citizens for their cooperation and patience while they investigated the crashes. “Drivers were particularly conscious of officers while they conducted their investigation and helped those injured or involved in the hit and run collision,” according to a news release.