Deputy files damage suit

Sheriff’s Sgt. Jodene Hamilton Young, who was seriously injured in a collision just north of the fairgrounds a year ago, and her spouse have filed a damage suit against the other driver involved in the accident and the Washington Rural Counties Insurance Pool. The suit said the amount of damages sustained by the couple will be determined at the time of trial.

The suit contends the other driver in the accident, Richard Lee-Waddell, was at fault for failing to yield the right-of-way and driving a 1990 Honda Accord at a high rate of speed. Waddell also faces two charges of vehicular assault related to the accident. He has pleaded not guilty last week and has been scheduled for a Dec. 17 trial.

The plaintiffs also contend the insurance pool has failed to make payments under terms of uninsured drivers coverage in its policy with the county. It said the plaintiffs have not received insurance payments since the Sept. 26, 2011, accident.

In an answer to the suit filed this week in superior court, Spokane Attorney Brooke Johnson, who represents the insurance pool, contended the Youngs have not established that the driver at fault was an under-insured or uninsured motorist. In response to most points in the suit, Johnson said the pool lacks information to confirm or deny the allegations.