Local country musician dies in head-on collision near Deer Park

A Spokane Valley musician was killed Friday in a two-vehicle crash near Deer Park.

James “Rusty” Brown, 52, died after a southbound vehicle lost control on U.S. Highway 395 and hit the car carrying Brown and his wife, Annetta Chism, head-on around 6:30 p.m., according to the Washington State Patrol.

Brown and Chism both were extricated from a 2004 Kia Spectra. Brown was pronounced dead at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center and Chism was injured.

The driver of the other vehicle, 24-year-old Carrice Wheeler, was injured and her passenger, Mariena Wright, 25, was unharmed, according to WSP.

WSP ruled that Wheeler, who was driving a 2000 Chevy Cavalier, was driving too fast for the snowy conditions. The crash is under investigation.

Brown was the lead singer and bassist for local country band Texas Twister, which played in small venues throughout Spokane County and North Idaho.

“Russ will be missed by so many,” M&G promotions posted on Facebook. “Please keep his wife Annetta, family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.”

Nick Canger, another local country singer, also offered his condolences.

“He was a great, kind man. A fellow musician and song writer,” Canger posted on Facebook. “I was lucky enough to share the stage with him a few times and had the privilege of him singing at my wedding. He will be missed greatly.”