Airway Heights, WA – An adult male pedestrian was killed early Wednesday morning after being struck by a vehicle on U.S. Highway 2 near South Centre Place, prompting a multi-agency response and a vehicular homicide charge against the driver.
According to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, the crash occurred around 1:15 a.m. Wednesday, when a man later identified as 22-year-old Robert J. Bitcon reported that he was driving eastbound on Hwy. 2 and heard a loud noise, believing he may have hit a person or an animal. Bitcon told officers he checked the area but did not initially find anyone and waited in a nearby parking lot for law enforcement.
Airway Heights Police officers and Spokane County Sheriff’s deputies responded and contacted Bitcon while additional units searched the area. Minutes later, deputies located a severely injured adult male off the south shoulder of Hwy. 2 near South Centre Place. Despite emergency medical assistance, the pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Due to the severity of the crash, Spokane County Sheriff’s Traffic Unit investigators were called in under a mutual aid agreement to lead the investigation. SIRT Team volunteers assisted with overnight traffic control in the area.
Investigators say initial findings indicate the pedestrian was walking on the shoulder of the road and not in the travel lane when he was struck. Authorities observed vehicle damage consistent with evidence at the scene.
During the investigation, deputies noted signs of possible impairment and requested a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) evaluation. Following that assessment, Bitcon was arrested and booked into jail, charged with Vehicular Homicide, according to investigators. He is alleged to have been impaired at the time of the crash.
The Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office will release the victim’s identity and cause of death at a later time.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has video footage is urged to contact Cpl. T. Miller at 509-477-3195, referencing case #10002558. The investigation remains active.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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