UPDATE: December 3 at 6:45 p.m.
Matthew Hall, the man suspected of driving under the influence and causing a crash that hospitalized a Mount Spokane student, has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
Hall is facing one count of vehicular assault and failure to remain at the scene of an accident. The crash occurred on the evening of November 22 on Highway 395.
Hall is scheduled for a trial readiness hearing on January 2, with a trial set for February 23.
SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. – A devastating collision on Highway 395 involved three vehicles, including one carrying two 17-year-old students from Mount Spokane High School. The crash occurred Saturday evening at around 6:30 p.m.
Doug Mercer, who witnessed the incident, described the scene.
“I could tell by a car upside down and the way one was mangled, it wasn’t good,” he said.
Mercer added that airbags in the Subaru were fully deployed, making it difficult to see inside.
The driver responsible for the crash attempted to flee the scene.
“He took off that way in between two trailers, and then went and hid in a little shed,” said Mercer.
It was the community, who strongly contributed to locating the driver.
“It was the neighbors. Held him at gunpoint and you know, let the troopers know they had him,” he said.
Inside the second vehicle were the two Mount Spokane High students. One of them, the passenger, was unresponsive. Mercer observed paramedics working for about 30 minutes to stabilize him.
The other teen, the driver, was able to walk around despite his injuries.
“His nose was pouring pretty much red blood pretty good,” said Mercer.
According to Washington State Patrol (WSP), the driver who caused the crash attempted an illegal pass, lost control and drove into a ditch before striking the car with the teens.
WSP investigators suspect alcohol may have played a role.
“I told the 911 operator, ma’am it’s bad,” said Mercer.
The unresponsive teen was transported to a local hospital and is currently in a medically induced coma.
In response, Mount Spokane High is hosting a community support night at 7:30 p.m. this evening on their track.
Matthew Hall, the driver charged in the incident, appeared in court this afternoon. He faces charges of vehicular assault and hit and run. His bond was set at $50,000.
ORIGINAL COVERAGE: November 24 at 5:00 p.m.
