Police: Serious Crash in Spokane County Likely Caused By “Street Racing”

According to a report from KREM 2, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office believes that “street racing” was responsible for a serious crash that left one person trapped within their overturned vehicle. As a consequence of the accident, two men suffered significant injuries and there was major damage to vehicles and other nearby property. Below, our Spokane auto accident lawyers discuss what we know about the collision and the dangers of street racing in general. 

Preliminary Investigation Suggests Street Racing Prior to a High-Speed Collision

The accident at issue, in this case, occurred in a residential area in Spokane Valley—about 15 minutes east of Downtown Spokane. Based on testimony from a third party eyewitness, law enforcement officers believe that the two vehicles were racing at high rates of speed on southbound Argonne Road immediately prior to the crash. One of the drivers lost control of their car and collided with the other vehicle—sending both cars flying into a parked automobile and other nearby property, including into a public-owned utility pole. 

The resulting damage was considerable. Both cars were totaled in the wreck and one driver was trapped inside of his vehicle. Emergency rescue crews were dispatched to the crash site and both drivers were transported to a local hospital with significant injuries. While charges were not yet finalized at the time of reporting, a spokesperson for Spokane County noted that criminal reckless driving charges (and perhaps more serious vehicular assault charges) were possible, if not likely. 

Street Racing is a Dangerous form of Reckless Driving

An organization called Stop Street Racing (SSR) has put together useful statistical research on the dangers of this highly extreme form of reckless driving. SSR reports that 49 people are injured for every 1000 people who participate in street racing. To put these truly alarming numbers into perspective, street racing causes injuries at an extraordinarily disproportionate rate—higher even than drunk driving or drugged driving. While most dangerous for participants and their passengers, street racing also poses a serious safety hazard to everyone else on or near the road. 

The bottom line: Street racing is negligent. It cannot be accepted on Washington’s highways or in our neighborhoods. If you or your loved one was injured in a crash with a street racer, you should consult with an experienced Spokane auto accident attorney right away. As street racing is a form of gross negligence, victims may be eligible for punitive damages. Reckless drivers must be held accountable for the injuries caused by their negligence. 

Get Help From a Car Accident Lawyer in Eastern Washington

At  ‌Albrecht‌ ‌Law‌ ‌PLLC, our Spokane car accident attorneys fight for the rights and interests of injured victims. If you were hurt in a wreck with a reckless driver, we are ready to help. Contact our legal team today for a free review of your claim. With an office in Spokane, we represent auto accident victims throughout the entire region, including in Mead, Colbert, Buckeye, Diamond Lake, and Chattaroy.