SPOKANE VALLEY, WA – A man was killed in a motorcycle crash Thursday night after colliding with a vehicle at the intersection of East Sprague Avenue and Custer Road. Deputies with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office say the driver of the car, identified as 61-year-old Darla M. Stoffel, has been arrested and charged with vehicular homicide.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the crash occurred around 9:40 p.m. on August 28. When the first deputy arrived, a bystander was performing CPR on the motorcycle rider. The deputy continued life-saving measures until Spokane Valley Fire personnel arrived, but the rider was pronounced dead at the scene. His name will be released later by the Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Investigators determined that Stoffel was driving a Ford Mustang eastbound on Sprague Avenue and attempted to turn north into a parking lot, crossing westbound lanes of travel. The motorcycle, traveling westbound, collided with the vehicle during the turn.
Deputies reported finding signs of cannabis use inside the Mustang and developed probable cause to believe Stoffel was impaired at the time of the collision. A search warrant was obtained to collect a blood sample, and she was booked into the Spokane County Jail.
The Spokane Valley Traffic Unit is continuing the investigation. Authorities are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has video evidence to contact Corporal T. Miller at 509-477-3195, referencing case #10122318.