Man arrested in fatal hit-and-run

A suspect was arrested Wednesday in the June 9 hit-and-run death of 29-year-old Costco pharmacy technician Robb Long, who was run over while going home on his motor scooter.

Christopher J. Lynch, 23, 6103 E. Eighth Ave., was booked into jail on suspicion of vehicular homicide.

Lynch allegedly struck Long after driving his Dodge Intrepid across a concrete median under Interstate 90 to run a red light and entering the westbound Sprague Avenue freeway on-ramp, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. Long was eastbound and approaching the intersection on a green light.

Witnesses said the Intrepid continued onto the freeway without stopping. Long died at the scene.

An anonymous Secret Witness tip led sheriff’s Detective Don Manning to Lynch’s home, where he left a business card with Lynch’s girlfriend. Sgt. Dave Reagan said the contact apparently caused Lynch to ask a friend in Mica to hide the car, and the worried friend told a retired police officer.

Officers impounded the car Tuesday night.

– John Craig

Police say woman had chances to flee

The woman who police thought was being held hostage Tuesday at a Ramada Inn had several opportunities to let her 6-year-old daughter and herself out of the room, authorities said Wednesday.

Courtney Baker, 28, was booked into Spokane County Jail for criminal mistreatment, said Spokane police Cpl. Tom Lee. The woman not only stopped her daughter from leaving the room where a man was armed with a gun, but she also used methamphetamine in front of the girl, detectives confirmed Wednesday.

Baker and Jeremy D. Hanson, 26, reportedly were unwelcome guests at the north Spokane motel. When they refused to leave, police were called. Hanson fired a shot through his hotel room’s door when police were in the hallway, but no one was hit.

The standoff ended about 11:25 p.m. Tuesday. Hanson faces a charge of felon in possession of a firearm.

– Jody Lawrence-Turner

Seattle

3-year-old girl burned in fire dies

The 3-year-old who was burned in an apartment fire earlier this week died at Harborview Medical Center.

The youngster was taken off life support Tuesday night, fire officials said.

Taiylor Dawley suffered second- and third-degree burns to 35 percent of her body and stopped breathing for a short time before being rescued by firefighters, relatives and officials said. She was injured in a fire at 307 E. Nora Ave. on Sunday.

Bedding that fell near a baseboard heater is believed to be the cause of the blaze, officials said.

– Jody Lawrence-Turner