SPOKANE VALLEY, WA – A 69-year-old man was arrested Tuesday evening for vehicular assault after allegedly driving while impaired, striking a 6-year-old child, and crashing his vehicle into a Spokane Valley home.

Deputies with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office responded to the incident shortly before 8:00 p.m. on August 5 in the 4800 block of N. Calvin Road. Witnesses, including an off-duty deputy, reported that a Jeep Gladiator had hit a child on the sidewalk before continuing into a residence.

The 6-year-old boy sustained serious, initially life-threatening injuries and was transported to the hospital. Authorities later said his condition stabilized, though he is expected to require additional surgeries and long-term treatment.

Deputies identified the driver as John E. Lassey. He was found still seated in the Jeep, which had become lodged in an unoccupied room of the home. Lassey reportedly failed to comply with commands to exit the vehicle, and deputies noted signs of impairment, including the smell of alcohol and difficulty maintaining his balance.

Lassey allegedly told investigators he had chest pains while driving and swerved to avoid children in the street. He also admitted to consuming four or five beers earlier in the evening. Investigators say his account of the incident changed during questioning.

According to the preliminary investigation, Lassey had been driving north on Calvin Road when he attempted a turn, lost control, and struck a parked vehicle before crossing the road, hitting the child on the sidewalk, and eventually crashing into the house.

After being medically cleared at a hospital, Lassey was booked into the Spokane County Jail on a felony charge of vehicular assault. A blood sample was collected and sent to the Washington State Crime Lab for analysis.

The case remains under active investigation.