Driver suffers life-threatening injuries in South Perry collision | News

An elderly woman suffered life-threatening injuries after a SUV ran a stop sign and hit her car at the intersection of South Perry and 17th Avenue Wednesday afternoon.

Police report that the driver of a maroon Dodge Durango ran a stop sign on 17th and crashed into the side of a white four-door sedan. The elderly driver of the sedan was knocked unconscious.

Firefighters had to extricate the victim from her car and transported her to the hospital. She has life-threatening injuries.

Residents in the area said they aren't surprised there was an accident.

"There's always screeching, there's always horns honking. When we bought the house, just coming to look at it, there was a little wreck," said resident Emily Barnett.

The driver of the SUV may have been under the influence of prescription drugs, according to the Spokane Police Department. She passed out behind the wheel and told firefighters she had just started taking medication Wednesday, police said.

Police think she will face vehicular assault charges.

"It doesn't matter if they are legal or illegal if you are under the influence of a drug while you are driving a vehicle. It's still considered a DUI," said Sgt. Kevin Huddle of the Spokane Police Department

A blood test has been taken on the driver of the SUV to figure out what medication she was on.

Perry at 17th was closed for about an hour as police remove the vehicles from the road and investigate the crash.