78-year-old arrested for hitting and killing woman in North Spokane

SPOKANE, Wash. — 78-year-old John Francis Bligh was arrested Tuesday for allegedly hitting and killing a woman crossing a street with his Ford Ranger in North Spokane and leaving the scene.

According to court documents, investigators say Bligh reported drinking a ‘couple glasses’ of wine at a bar Tuesday and left before 8 p.m. to head to the grocery store.

Responding deputies say Bligh was driving by in his truck, presumably returning from the store, and they stopped him and had him get out. Deputies say there was damage to his truck, and one of the mirrors was missing.

Detectives reviewed nearby surveillance video and said Bligh appeared to be driving 50 miles per hour in a 25 in the leadup to the crash.

Traffic investigators wrote the video shows the truck braking, then swerving to the right, and hitting the woman while she was crossing Perry Road from west to east.

Deputies say when they told Bligh of the charges, he did not appear to show any remorse and told them “Whatever” multiple times. They also say Bligh failed three field sobriety tests and blew a .065 BAC on the breathalyzer.

The woman later died at the hospital. She was identified by the medical examiner as Karen Miller, 73.

This scene of the crash is around the corner from Northwood Middle School and Farwell Elementary.

While it was noted in court today Bligh doesn’t have a criminal history, his bail was set at $150,000. He’s scheduled to make a plea on September 9th at 8:30 a.m. Bligh faces charges of vehicular homicide, hit and run with death, and reckless driving.