Man hit by car in downtown Spokane crosswalk suffers broken legs and neck

SPOKANE, Wash. — A driver accused of hitting a man crossing a crosswalk at Division and Pacific late Monday morning, seriously injuring him, was charged with vehicular assault Tuesday in Spokane County Superior Court.

According to an affidavit of facts filed with the court, a man entered a crosswalk at the intersection around 11:00 a.m.

One vehicle in the far left lane slowed down and stopped for the pedestrian to cross.

In the middle lane, which was the next lane over to the right, a car did not stop, and hit the man in the crosswalk.

That car was driven by Patrick Whiteside, according to police.

The victim told police at the scene he didn’t remember getting hit, and was taken to a hospital with injuries including broken bones in both legs, as well as broken bones in his neck.

Police investigated Whiteside for impairment.

He told investigators he has been suffering from seizures his whole life, and that he was taking medications for ADHD, autism, hypoglycemia, epilepsy and other mental health issues.

He also told police he had recently started smoking marijuana through a device similar to an e-cigarette.

Whiteside told investigators he had not drank alcohol or used marijuana since the day before the crash.

He asked his mother, who was at the scene during the police investigation, which medications he took, telling officers he didn’t know the names of the medications.

Following some field sobriety tests, an officer determined Whiteside was not able to operate a vehicle safely at the time of the crash, based on impairment.

During Whiteside’s first court appearance in the case Tuesday, Commissioner Eugene Cruz set bond at $25,000. His next court date was scheduled for March 18 at 9:00 a.m.