Spokane Valley man run over and killed on his lawn

Published 12:01 am Thursday, August 11, 2011

SPOKANE VALLEY — Police said a driver with a learner’s permit apparently confused the gas and brake pedals when she lost control and killed a man on the lawn of his Spokane Valley home.

Spokesman Dave Thornburg said 48-year-old Wes Abney was in the wrong spot at the wrong time Tuesday afternoon when an inexperienced driver made a mistake and her SUV jumped the curb.

The Spokesman-Review reported the driver, 36-year-old Claudia Salazar, had a licensed driver with her and two other passengers.

A neighbor said Abney was known for helping clear neighborhood walkways of snow in the winter.