Briefs

DRUFFEL ALLOWED RELEASE

Tyson Druffel, 38, Colfax resident who was jailed June 15 after an early-morning speed chase in Colfax and on Almota Road, pleaded not guilty in superior court Friday morning to charges of taking a motor vehicle, drunken driving, resisting arrest and driving with a suspended license. He had been held in lieu of posting bond to $100,000 for pre-trial release.

The high bond was set last week after the prosecutor's office noted Druffel's record included 14 past warrants. Defense attorney Steve Martonick Friday noted the last warrant on the record was approximately 10 years ago and said Druffel would live in Colfax and be under supervision. A family member said Druffel stays at home and cares for her mother and daughter. She said she would ensure Druffel follows conditions of release.

Court Commissioner Howard Neill allowed Druffel release on his own recognizance and set his trial date for Sept. 17.

ROSALIA URGES CAUTION

Rosalia Fire Department June 20 issued an alert report urging motorists to use extra caution driving in the highway construction projects along Highway 195 in the Rosalia area. Over a four-day span last week, Rosalia responded to three accidents in the construction zones with a total of nine vehicles involved and five people injured.

They responded June 16 to a rear-end accident at the work zone on the bridge at the north end of Rosalia. One woman was injured in that accident and transported by the Rosalia ambulance crew to the hospital.

Two people were hurt June 13 in a four-vehicle crash at the passing lane project north of the Babb Road bridge in Spokane County. The accident involved a semi-truck which plowed into the back of three vehicles which had been stopped in the southbound lane. A Pullman resident was seriously injured in that accident and she was taken by helicopter to Sacred Heart in Spokane.

The next day, two Lewiston residents were hurt in an accident at the same location and were transported by Rosalia ambulance to Whitman Hospital for treatment. Three vehicles were involved in that chain accident.

Two of the Highway 195 bridge project sites, which have control lights to alternate traffic on one open lane across the bridges, are located north and south of Rosalia.

The passing lane project north of the Babb Road overpass is located approximately six miles north of Rosalia. Construction crews there are removing rock in the area of the cut at the top of the grade.