SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. – Spokane Valley Traffic Investigators identified and arrested the suspect involved in a hit-and-run that sent a woman to the hospital in critical condition.
The crash happened on the evening of Jan. 24 near the 5200 block of East Broadway Avenue. The Spokane Valley Police Department (SVPD) responded to reports of a bleeding woman on the sidewalk with severe injuries. The woman was transported to the hospital with critical injuries, where she remains. SVPD said as of Jan. 30, she is in critical but stable condition.
SVPD began their investigation, asking for help determining what led up to the crash or the identity of the fleeing suspect.
Spokane Valley Traffic Unit Investigators looked over parts and pieces of the vehicle left on the scene, leading them to believe they were searching for a 2014 Jeep Wrangler.
The day after the crash, SVPD located a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot of 6309 East Broadway Avenue, just 11 blocks east of the scene. At this time, deputies also contacted 64-year-old John R. Townshend.
After reviewing the body camera footage from the suspicious vehicle call, SVPD observed a 2014 Jeep Wrangler with damage to the front right fender. SVPD said the damage had a “unique design that was immediately recognized as appearing to match the parts located at the collision scene.”
SVPD said they received additional information that linked Townshend and the Wrangler to the crash.
On Jan. 29, investigators started to monitor the Trent Resource Center, as Townshend had previously used this as his home address. Just after 7 p.m., Townshend drove the Wrangler into the parking lot and was arrested for an unrelated misdemeanor theft warrant. The Jeep was seized as evidence.
During an interview, SVPD said Townshend admitted being near the 5200 block of East Broadway on Jan. 24 around 7:45 p.m. He told investigators he was driving the Jeep east on Broadway when he saw a woman in the roadway. Townshend said he attempted to swerve but clipped her. According to SVPD, Townshend said he turned around to look for her but assumed she had run off. He then drove back to the Rodeway Inn, where he was staying.
Townshend also said he heard a person had been hit that night and thought about calling law enforcement but never did.
Investigators developed probable cause to believe Townshend failed to remain at the crash scene, making no attempt to contact law enforcement.
Townshend was arrested for felony Hit-and-Run with Injury. He was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail on this charge and his misdemeanor warrant.
