SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — A driver is facing charges of vehicular homicide for the death of his passenger in Spokane Valley Friday.
According to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, a vehicle driven by 23-year-old Julien Hart had crashed around 11:15 p.m. on Rotchford Drive and Galway Lane near Shelley Lake.
Witnesses reported Hart and a passenger, Caden Richardson, were driving more than double the posted speed limit of 25 mph. One driver told law enforcement he had to move over to avoid colliding with Hart’s vehicle and heard it crash.
One witness attempted to remove Richardson but was unable to and did not feel a pulse. Firefighters had to extricate him and he died at the scene.
SCSO says law enforcement smelled alcohol on Hart’s breath, and he was in an emotional state. Deputies also saw alcohol containers in the vehicle.
Investigators believe Hart was driving recklessly under the influence. After being released from the hospital, Hart was arrested for vehicular homicide and booked into the Spokane County Jail.
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