SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — An 18-year-old man has been charged with vehicular homicide following a fatal collision between his Tesla and a scooter rider early Saturday morning, according to the Spokane Valley Sheriff’s Office.
Phillip M. Ragland Jr. was driving south on Flora Road when his vehicle struck the scooter rider traveling east on the Appleway Trail at approximately 12:35 a.m. on September 12, 2026.
Spokane Valley Fire and AMR Medics provided emergency care to the rider, who was not breathing and had sustained serious injuries. First responders regained a pulse, and the victim was transported to the hospital.
Ragland remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. Deputies conducted field sobriety evaluations and determined he was impaired. He was arrested for DUI, and a blood sample was collected for testing.
The victim succumbed to his injuries later that morning at the hospital. Ragland’s charge was upgraded from vehicular assault to vehicular homicide. Spokane County Superior Court Commissioner N. Swennumson set his bond at $10,000, and Ragland was released from custody.
The Spokane Valley Sheriff’s Office continues its investigation.
The Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office will release the victim’s identity and cause of death at a later time.
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