Spokane Valley Driver Arrested for Vehicular Homicide

Legacy automated check: the original source text was not preserved. These earlier verdicts have not passed the current publication checks and may contain errors. Source: original document ↗

• ✓
  A 78-year-old Spokane Valley man was arrested for vehicular homicide“Deputies noticed a gray Ford Ranger with damage consistent with the evidence at the scene and contacted the driver, later identified as 78-year-old John F. Bligh.”
• ✓
  The arrest was after a hit-and-run crash killed a pedestrian on Sept. 1“On September 1, 2026, at approximately 7:50 pm, Spokane County Deputies responded to a vehicle/pedestrian collision near N. Perry Road and E. Appaloosa Lane. Callers advised the suspect vehicle fled the scene and the adult female victim, who was seriously injured, was lying in the road.”
• ⚠
  Spokane County Sheriff's Office records state the incidentNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
• ✓
  John F. Bligh, 78, was initially arrested for vehicular assault“The suspect driver was initially arrested for Vehicular Assault, but the charges were upgraded to Vehicular Homicide after receiving the tragic news that the victim had died as a result of her injuries.”
• ✓
  Bligh faced upgraded charges after the victim died from injuries sustained in the collision“The suspect driver was initially arrested for Vehicular Assault, but the charges were upgraded to Vehicular Homicide after receiving the tragic news that the victim had died as a result of her injuries.”
• ✓
  The incident occurred near N. Perry Road and E. Appaloosa Lane“The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit continues to investigate a deadly auto/pedestrian crash that occurred near N. Perry Road and E. Appaloosa Lane.”
• ✓
  The incident occurred at 7:50 p.m. on Sept. 1“On September 1, 2026, at approximately 7:50 pm, Spokane County Deputies responded to a vehicle/pedestrian collision near N. Perry Road and E. Appaloosa Lane.”
• ✓
  Bligh fled the scene after striking the adult female pedestrian crossing Perry Road“Bligh then continued north, fleeing the scene.”
• ✓
  Bligh returned minutes later and was stopped by deputies“Minutes later, Bligh returned to the area, now driving at or near the speed limit (25 mph), where the Deputy contacted him.”
• ✓
  He admitted to drinking earlier but denied involvement in the crash“The Deputy spoke with Bligh, who admitted to consuming alcohol earlier but denied being involved in a collision of any kind.”
• ✓
  A blood sample was collected for testing after deputies observed signs of impairment“A Traffic Unit Deputy, trained as a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE), responded to evaluate whether Bligh was impaired and able to operate a motor vehicle safely. With the information learned from Bligh, coupled with the Deputy’s observations, he obtained a search warrant to collect a sample of Bligh’s blood for later testing.”
• ✓
  Bligh was booked into Spokane County Jail on charges including vehicular homicide“Bligh was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Vehicular Homicide, Hit-and-Run Causing Injury/Death, and Reckless Driving.”
• ✓
  Bligh was booked into Spokane County Jail on charges including hit-and-run causing injury/death“Bligh was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Vehicular Homicide, Hit-and-Run Causing Injury/Death, and Reckless Driving.”
• ✓
  Bligh was booked into Spokane County Jail on charges including reckless driving“Bligh was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Vehicular Homicide, Hit-and-Run Causing Injury/Death, and Reckless Driving.”
• ✓
  The Spokane County Medical Examiner's Office will release the victim's name and cause of death when appropriate“The Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office will release the name of the victim, along with her cause and manner of death, when appropriate.”
• ✓
  The investigation remains active“This remains an active investigation; no further information is available.”