Monroe man faces assault charge tied to another man’s death

Published 11:09 pm Wednesday, June 11, 2008

WENATCHEE — A Monroe man has been charged with assaulting a man who was struck and killed by a passing truck minutes later, Chelan County authorities say.

Witnesses say Ian W. Loun, 30, assaulted John W. Jones of Manson, Chelan County, just minutes before Jones, 39, was struck and killed in the early morning hours of May 10 near Manson.

Lt. Jerry Moore of the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office said the assault ended before Jones was struck by a pickup driven by a 41-year-old Manson man not involved in the dispute.

The driver of the pickup was arrested on suspicion of vehicular homicide after investigators suspected he was driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, authorities said. No charges have been filed.

Moore said Loun, riding his motorcycle, chased Jones from a tavern after a friend’s car was hit by Jones’ SUV. Loun caught Jones after Jones rolled his SUV, Moore said.

Jones’ legs were on the gravel shoulder with his upper body lying on the pavement when he was hit by the truck, said Moore. He said witnesses described Loun chasing after the driver of the pickup, who had driven slowly from the scene, and bringing the man back to the area of the accident and taking his keys.