SPOKANE, Wash. – A 17-year-old is facing four criminal charges after a fatal hit-and-run incident on South Hill. The charges stem from the death of 48-year-old Sarah Doxey, who was struck while running near 49th and Perry on July 16 around 5:30 a.m. Police apprehended the suspected driver shortly after near 195 and Eagle Ridge.
An arraignment hearing was held to set a timeline for the pre-trial and trial date. The suspect’s attorney, Morgan Maxey, confirmed the teen was informed of the formal charges against him, which include vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, fatal hit-and-run and driving without a valid ID.
Maxey stated, “My client and I made the decision to plead not guilty on all counts.”
Maxey explained that pleading not guilty preserves the client’s rights to call witnesses, testify and proceed to trial.
“Whereas if you plead guilty, you just proceed to sentencing,” Maxey said.
Juvenile Court Director Tori Peterson clarified that the charges will remain in juvenile court.
“Those do not fall under the definition of serious violent offense. Although we would all say that, by statute, it does not,” Peterson explained.
In Washington, only certain charges, like murder or first-degree rape, are automatically sent to adult court. Peterson emphasized that juvenile court proceedings are generally quicker than those on the adult side.
“I believe that this case will resolve quicker than it would on the adult side,” she stated.
A juvenile sentence would likely range from 30 to 72 weeks in a juvenile rehabilitation facility under state jurisdiction.
Maxey outlined the next legal steps, noting there is a significant amount of discovery or evidence to review.
“There’s quite a bit of what we call discovery or evidence that I have to sift through,” Maxey said.
He added that it will take time to decide the next steps after reviewing the evidence.
