SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. – 17-year-old Jakob Town was killed after being hit by a car near Four Lakes.
On Aug. 27, around 8:30 p.m., Spokane County deputies said they responded to a report of a crash involving a pedestrian in the 12600 block of West Melville Road. At the scene, they found a truck partially blocking the westbound lane and a Jeep parked on the eastbound shoulder.
The investigation into the accident revealed that the truck’s driver, also a teenager, had stopped to check his load’s tiedown straps. Town, the passenger, got out of the vehicle and stood near the center of the road. The Jeep, traveling east, struck the passenger. The Jeep driver stopped to assist.
Firefighters from Spokane County Fire District 3 and medics were providing aid to the injured teenager, who was later taken to a nearby hospital.
Speed and impairment are not believed to be factors in the accident.
Town died from his injuries on Sunday morning.
Town was just days away from starting his senior year at Medical Lake High School.
His parents, Alison and Shaawn Town told NonStop Local he was a typical teenager who loved adventures, was very social and had a large network of friends.
“I have neighbors that [came] from down the street and [told] us that when they moved into the neighborhood, he introduced himself… He was on his bike. And [he said,] ‘Hi, my name is Jakob and I like hot dogs’,” Alison Town said.
While maybe not the biggest fan of the classroom, his parents said he was extremely interested in auto mechanics. After he graduated, he wanted to be a welder.
“But that was his focus. Like, that blue collar lifestyle. Rugged lifestyle,” Shaawn Town said.
His family, devastated by the loss, told NonStop Local they are trying to navigate life after this random and tragic accident.
“Since his accident… It’s been just a roller coaster of emotions. And, what to do next. Just a lot of decisions that bring back more emotions,” Shaawn Town said.
Despite his life being cut so short, his parents said he lived a “full life.”
