Driver allegedly impaired when vehicle hit and killed pedestrian near East Broadway
November 14, 2025 | Spokane Valley, WA
An allegedly impaired driver, Seth E. Schrammeck, 29, struck and killed a pedestrian in a tragic incident on Friday evening, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.
Seth E. Schrammeck, 29, was arrested for vehicular homicide and reckless endangerment after a DUI pedestrian crash on North Sullivan Road at East Broadway.
The collision took place in the 800 block of North Sullivan Road around 6:20 p.m. Preliminary investigations indicate Schrammeck was driving southbound when he hit a woman crossing at the East Broadway intersection. The unidentified pedestrian succumbed to her injuries at the scene.
Schrammeck was arrested and booked into Spokane County Jail on charges of vehicular homicide and reckless endangerment.
Authorities are seeking additional information, including dash-cam footage. Anyone with details is urged to contact 509-477-3195.
What Happened in the Crash?
Key details from the incident include:
- Date and Time: Nov. 14, 2025, approximately 6:20 p.m.
- Location: 800 block of North Sullivan Road at East Broadway, Spokane Valley, WA.
- Vehicles Involved: Southbound vehicle driven by Seth E. Schrammeck, 29.
- Pedestrian: Unidentified woman, pronounced dead at the scene.
- Charges: Vehicular homicide and reckless endangerment against Schrammeck.
- Agency: Spokane County Sheriff’s Office leading the probe.
Why Do Pedestrian Crashes Like This Occur?
Pedestrian accidents often stem from driver impairment, speeding, or failure to yield. In cases such as this, factors like alcohol or drugs can severely impair judgment and reaction times, leading to devastating outcomes.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), impaired driving contributes to thousands of fatalities annually. In Washington state, traffic safety data underscores the rising dangers on roadways.
Washington Traffic Fatality Statistics
Year |
Total Fatalities |
Impaired Driving Fatalities |
Percentage Increase from 2019 |
|---|
2019 |
543 |
278 |
0% |
2023 |
810 |
416 |
Nearly 50% |
Source: Washington Traffic Safety Commission
These figures highlight the urgent need for awareness and stricter enforcement to prevent such tragedies.
Legal Insights
Newsline's national legal analysts provide expert perspective on motor vehicle crashes involving potential impairment.
“Crashes involving possible impairment require slow, detailed work, as investigators collect facts, check the scene, and review driver actions to figure out how the crash occurred,” said Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal and national analyst for Newsline. “In cases such as this, separate from criminal charges, a victim’s family may be entitled to compensation through a civil lawsuit against the responsible party. Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide a grieving family during this difficult time, protecting their legal rights, while ensuring that a drunk driver is held accountable for their reckless actions.”
Key takeaways from analyst insights:
- Impaired driving significantly elevates accident risks, even if drivers feel unaffected.
- Civil claims can cover medical, funeral expenses, loss of companionship, pain, and suffering.
- Investigations focus on negligence, such as DUI, distracted driving, or speeding.
- Families may pursue wrongful death claims when unsafe driving causes fatalities.
“An incident is considered a wrongful death when either a person or entity commits a wrongful or negligent act resulting in a person's death,” said Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal and national analyst for Newsline. “When vehicle accident fatalities result from unsafe driving, aggressive or distracted driving, speeding, a hit-and-run, or driving under the influence, family members are usually left with the option to pursue a civil action against the responsible motorist.”
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If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one due to a drunk driver, national legal analyst Candice Bond offers free consultations to guide you.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).