SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. — Deputies arrested a man for vehicular assault after crashing a 4Runner into a power pole and severely injuring his passenger in Colbert on Saturday, according to Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.
Around 5:30 p.m. on June 14, SCSO responded to a reported crash near Colbert Road and Boston Road, about six miles north of Mead.
When deputies arrived, they found a significantly damaged 4Runner on its side with a man in the passenger seat trapped inside.
A crew with Spokane County Fire District 9 removed the man. He was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
SCSO said they found an empty alcohol bottle on the ground outside the 4Runner, and a half-empty liquor bottle inside.
Deputies said the driver, 38-year-old Stephen Schwabe, appeared to be impaired at the time of the crash.
According to witnesses, the 4Runner was traveling north on Boston Road at about 50-70 mph when it left the road and drove on the shoulder.
Schwabe then drove it back onto the road and crossed into the southbound lanes before hitting a power pole, catching air, landing and rolling into a tree.
Deputies obtained a search warrant to test Schwabe’s blood while in the hospital
After being medically cleared, Schwabe was booked into Spokane County Jail for vehicular assault. He was released on his own recognizance after appearing in court on June 16.
As of June 17, the passenger is still hospitalized in critical condition.
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