Retired Air Force serviceman killed in Spokane hit-and-run crash; suspect arrested

A retired U.S. Air Force serviceman and postal worker succumbed to injuries he sustained in a Spokane hit-and-run crash on April 16, and the man police believe fled the scene was arrested Thursday.

Gary Gross, 79, was taken off life support this week following a two-vehicle crash near North Market Street and East Francis Avenue, according to his family.

Gross and his passenger, Judith Gross, were reportedly broadsided by a 2003 Honda Accord around 7:30 p.m before witnesses told police a man driving the Honda fled on foot.

Judith Gross was treated at a hospital and released.

Spokane police made an arrest Thursday in connection to the hit-and-run crash. Dallas E. Ricks, 33, was charged with felony hit-and-run injury and a felony hit-and-run death. He is being held on $250,000 bond.

A month before the crash, Ricks was charged with four counts of fourth-degree assault in Spokane County, according to court records. He has criminal history in at least three Washington counties.

Gross’ son, Mark Gross, posted about his father’s death Thursday on Facebook.

“Ten days ago this father, husband and friend to so many was viciously T-boned by a hit and run driver,” he wrote. “We were unable to share this bittersweet follow up message until the Spokane Police department notified us tonight that the coward who hit my parents was arrested tonight.”