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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Police complete investigation of deputy vs. bicycle crash

From staff reports
Spokane police have finished their investigation into a fatal crash between a Spokane County Sheriff’s deputy and a teenage bicyclist in Spokane Valley six months ago. Ryan Holyk, 15, died in June of injuries sustained in the collision that occurred at the corner of Sprague Avenue and Vista Road on May 23. Joseph Bodman was driving the Spokane Valley police cruiser that struck Holyk, who witnesses said was crossing against a green light. Witnesses also said Bodman was not using his overhead lights and swerved to try to avoid striking Holyk on his bicycle. Police said Bodman was driving to a backup a fellow sheriff’s deputy who had stopped a suspect with an outstanding domestic violence warrant when the crash occurred. The findings of the Spokane Investigative Regional Response team have been forwarded to prosecutors for potential charging. The team, led by the Spokane Police Department, made no charging recommendation in its news release announcing the findings had been turned over to prosecutors.