(Spokane, WA) Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Deputies and Traffic Unit Investigators responded to a near head-on collision on N. Argonne Road near Doak Road following reports of a reckless driver. The adult male driver of the reported reckless vehicle was later arrested for Vehicular Assault. A 17-year-old passenger in the second vehicle involved suffered serious but believed to be non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to the hospital for additional treatment. Two additional adult occupants appeared to be uninjured.
On January 5, 2025, at approximately 4:35 pm, Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to reports of a reckless driver and, minutes later, a head-on collision on Argonne and Doak.
Callers reported a white F150 was traveling north on Argonne, recklessly swerving in and out of the travel lanes, and that the driver was possibly impaired. Minutes later, it was reported that the F150 crossed over the centerline and crashed head-on into a southbound white GMC Yukon near the intersection of Argonne and Doak Roads.
Deputies and Spokane County Fire District 9 Firefighters arrived, secured the scene, and provided medical aid.
Witnesses told Deputies the driver of the F150, later identified as 56-year-old Raymond G. Jones, was driving erratically northbound on Argonne, swerving all over the roadway and crossing the centerline. Near the intersection of Doak Road, Jones crossed over the centerline and crashed nearly head-on into a southbound GMC Yukon, occupied by three people (two adults and a juvenile).
Deputies noted the Yukon was located on the west side of Argonne near the intersection. The F150 continued a few hundred feet to the north, left the roadway to the west, and stopped in a field.
A 17-year-old passenger of the Yukon sustained serious but believed to be non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to the hospital for additional treatment. The adult driver and an adult passenger appeared to be uninjured and not transported.
Jones told Deputies he was driving (F150) and was struck by another vehicle. He believed he was driving west on Bigelow Gulch Road at the time of the collision. He explained he was driving home and stopped for a drink, where he consumed a shot of whiskey and several beers. The Deputy noted Jones had a strong odor of alcohol coming from his breath, and his eyes were red and watery. Jones declined to answer additional questions or submit to field sobriety evaluations.
Traffic Unit Investigators were requested to investigate, and SIRT Team Volunteers responded to assist with traffic control.
Deputies sought and were granted a search warrant to obtain a blood sample from Jones for testing.
Jones was arrested and later booked into the Spokane County Jail for Vehicular Assault. Spokane County Superior Court Commissioner E. Cruz set Jones’ bond at $25,000 during his court appearance the following day.
This remains an active investigation and additional charges are possible.
