Man killed when truck falls on him in northeast Spokane

A man was killed Thursday morning when a utility truck fell on him in a driveway in northeast Spokane.

Firefighters were called to a home at Bridgeport Avenue and Ralph Street just before 10:15 a.m. The man was under the utility truck while preparing to have the utility truck towed by a commercial towing company, Spokane Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer told KHQ. The truck shifted and fell on the man.

Firefighters quickly built a mechanical system to lift the truck and free the man, Schaeffer said. Crews began life support, but the man died at the scene.

Neighbor Miranda Brown didn’t give her deceased neighbor’s name but said he was sweet and always helpful.

He lived alone but put up “extravagant Christmas displays” each year, Brown said. She called him a “car enthusiast” with several classic cars visible on the property.

According to Brown, a family member of the deceased told her, “The neighborhood is going to miss him.” Brown said she agreed with that sentiment.

The Spokane Police Department also responded to the scene to investigate but determined the incident was not criminal, according to Sgt. Terry Preuninger.