SPOKANE, Wash. – One person is in the hospital with substantial injuries after a crash Wednesday morning.
On Dec. 27, just before 1:10 a.m., Spokane County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) deputies responded to the 4900 block Of W. Government Way after reports of a crash where at least one person was injured.
Deputies and Washington State Patrol Troopers arrived on the scene, where they found three people in a Subaru Legacy and one person in a Ford Escort.
The driver and front passenger of the Subaru were transported to the hospital.
First responders initially believed the passenger sustained life-threatening injuries. Upon further evaluation, the man endured substantial but non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Escort was also transported to the hospital with minor injuries.
Due to the extent of the injuries, Traffic Unit Investigators responded to conduct an investigation. Volunteer Spokane Incident Response Team members also responded to assist with traffic control.
Investigators developed probable cause that the driver of the Subaru Legacy, 26-year-old John L. Swinger, was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash. Speed and icy and slick roads are also believed to be factors in this crash. A search warrant to collect a sample of Swinger’s blood was obtained for later testing.
After he was released from the hospital, Swinger was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Vehicular Assault. He is also being held on unrelated charges of Forgery, second-degree ID theft, second-degree theft, and second-degree possession of stolen property. Swinger’s total bond is set at $60,000.
