SPOKANE — Washington State Patrol troopers are relieved by a big decline in traffic fatalities.
Last year the state recorded 545 deaths from motor vehicle crashes, compared with 635 in 2006.
“That’s huge for us,” said trooper Mark Baker.
Key factors in the decline include drunken driving crackdowns and tougher seat belt enforcement, he said.
He also said there were no fatal accidents last year on the 100 miles of I-90 between Ritzville and the Idaho state line.
Lakewood: Taser suit settled for $90,000
A Pierce County lawsuit by a man who said he was jolted with a stun gun and roughed up by police when he rejected medical aid following an epileptic seizure has been settled for $90,000.
A new policy on Taser use in Lakewood, a Tacoma suburb, also was mentioned in the settlement of a $300,000 lawsuit brought by William Grider and his wife, Kathy, against the municipality, the police department, chief Larry Saunders and four officers.
The deal, signed last month, did not include any admission of wrongdoing. Police officials told The News Tribune of Tacoma last week that the officers acted appropriately and that the decision on the settlement was made by an insurance provider.
Lt. David Guttu also said the Taser policy changes cited in the settlement were not a direct result of the case. Under the revised policy, which took effect Jan. 1, officers must consider whether someone might have a medical condition such as multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy or epilepsy before using stun guns.
Lummi Island: Man arrested in death
A bicyclist died in a traffic accident on the Lummi Indian Reservation near Bellingham, and a man was arrested for investigation of suspicion of vehicular homicide.
Washington State Patrol investigators say the man on the bicycle was not carrying identification, and they’re hoping an autopsy will determine his identity.
Trooper Kirk Rudeen said the man died at the scene after being struck from behind Saturday night. Rudeen said the man was riding on the shoulder of the road.
The driver of the car, a 23-year-old Ferndale man, was arrested for investigation of vehicular homicide, and his car has been impounded. Rudeen said alcohol does not appear to be a factor, but drug tests are pending.
Spokane: Rider OK after bull lands on him
Rodeo fans were horrified when a bull landed on a cowboy at the Spokane Arena, but the rider was not that bothered.
Matt Gibson, the arena’s assistant general manager, said Nick Hansen of Brush Prairie waved off an ambulance after the spill Saturday night. Hansen’s most obvious injury was a bloody lip.
Gibson said Hansen was competing in the Wrangler Professional Bull Riding Classic with two broken ribs from an earlier competition.
About 30 riders were competing in the rodeo.
“They’re all pretty tough guys,” Gibson said.
B.C.: Province works on passport alternate
British Columbia is developing a new high-tech driver’s license that could be used as a passport alternative to enter the United States by land and sea, officials said Monday.
A new pilot program will involve 500 volunteers who agree to share personal information with Canadian and U.S. authorities, British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell said.
The licenses are a response to U.S. security measures that require valid passports for land and water crossings. Beginning next month, Canadians will have to present proof of citizenship when entering.
Passports provide that but traditional driver’s licenses — which have been the key requirement for entry — do not.
The enhanced licenses will look similar to current ones but will be embedded with a radio frequency identification chip that can be scanned at border crossings.
The license can be used only at land and sea crossings, and passports will still be required to fly into the United States.
Campbell said that once an assessment is done on the pilot project, the new licenses could be rolled out to British Columbians as early as 2009.
Associated Press
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