Scooter Crash Victim Dies, Driver Charged

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  An 18-year-old driver was charged with vehicular homicide“The adult male driver of the vehicle was charged with Vehicular Homicide.”
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  The collision occurred on Flora Road in Spokane Valley“On September 12, 2026, at approximately 12:35 am, Spokane Valley Deputies responded to the 100 block of S. Flora Road for what was originally reported as a vehicle/pedestrian collision.”
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  The collision occurred on Sept. 12“On September 12, 2026, at approximately 12:35 am, Spokane Valley Deputies responded to the 100 block of S. Flora Road for what was originally reported as a vehicle/pedestrian collision.”
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  Phillip M. Ragland Jr., 18, was driving a Tesla south on Flora Road“The driver, identified as 18-year-old Phillip M. Ragland Jr., remained at the scene and cooperated with Investigators. Initial information indicates Ragland was driving a Tesla south on Flora Road from E. Sprague Avenue.”
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  Phillip M. Ragland Jr. struck a scooter rider on the Appleway Trail“The victim was riding a scooter on the Appleway Trail from west to east when the collision with the Tesla driven by Ragland occurred.”
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  The rider, an adult male, was pronounced deceased at the hospital“Unfortunately, later that morning, despite all efforts to save the victim’s life, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the hospital.”
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  The rider sustained life-threatening injuries“Spokane Valley Fire and AMR Medics provided life-saving measures to the adult male rider, who was not initially breathing and appeared to have sustained serious, life-threatening injuries.”
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  Ragland was arrested for DUI“Suspecting that Ragland was impaired, Deputies, who are also Drug Recognition Experts (DRE), conducted field sobriety evaluations. At the conclusion, they believed Ragland was impaired, and they placed him under arrest for DUI.”
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  Field sobriety tests indicated impairment“Suspecting that Ragland was impaired, Deputies, who are also Drug Recognition Experts (DRE), conducted field sobriety evaluations. At the conclusion, they believed Ragland was impaired, and they placed him under arrest for DUI.”
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  Ragland was initially charged with vehicular assault“Ragland was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail on that charge. Unfortunately, later that morning, despite all efforts to save the victim’s life, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the hospital.Ragland’s charge was upgraded to Vehicular Homicide.”
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  The charge was upgraded to vehicular homicide after the victim died“Ragland’s charge was upgraded to Vehicular Homicide.”
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  Ragland posted $10,000 bond“During a probable cause review over the weekend, Spokane County Superior Court Commissioner N. Swennumson set Ragland’s bond at $10,000. Later that afternoon, Ragland posted bond and was released from custody.”
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  Ragland was released from Spokane County Jail“Later that afternoon, Ragland posted bond and was released from custody.”