Fatality on 1st Street

CHENEY -A collision between a Kia and a Vespa Scooter near Papa Murphy's around 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 7, turned tragic when the two vehicles collided and the driver of the scooter was pinned under the sedan.

"The driver of the Kia was coming off Second on to 1st and was turning north-the Vespa was heading southbound and the driver of the Kia failed to yield and they collided," Detective Jeff Weldon with the Spokane Valley Police Department said. "The Vespa hit the front of the driver door and driver of the scooter was ejected, pinned under the Kia and drug a short distance- ten to fifteen feet."

Before EMS personnel arrived, Weldon said passers-by stopped and tried to use floor jacks to lift the car in an attempt to pull the man out from under the Kia.

"Once EMS arrived, they used air bags to lift the vehicle and got the man out from under the car," Weldon said. "They performed lifesaving measures, but were not successful."

Weldon said both the drivers of the Kia and Vespa were in their 60s. The man on the scooter, Donald Tinker, 69, was an area local, residing roughly six miles east of the accident scene. The driver of the Kia was from Spokane. He was transported to a medical facility for evaluation. His injuries did not appear to be severe.

Weldon added the accident was a non-criminal case.

"There was no reckless driving behavior-no intoxication-no DUI or drugs," Weldon said. "The driver of the Kia will more than likely be cited for failure to yield right of way."