Background: The intersection of North Perry Road and East Appaloosa Lane in Spokane County, Washington (Google Maps). Inset: John F. Bligh (KXLY/YouTube).
A man in Washington smashed into a woman and left her in the road to die before repeatedly telling investigators "whatever" when they told him what he was being charged with, authorities say.
John F. Bligh, 78, has been charged with vehicular homicide, hit-and-run causing death, and reckless driving, the Spokane County Sheriff's Office announced.
The victim has been identified as 73-year-old Karen Miller, per regional ABC affiliate KXLY.
On Tuesday at about 7:50 p.m., the sheriff's office was called about a crash in the area of North Perry Road and East Appaloosa Lane, which is just north of the city limits of Spokane, Washington. Callers said the suspect had driven away after the crash and left the pedestrian "lying in the road."
Medical personnel cared for the woman, whom they brought to a nearby hospital "with what appeared to be possible life-threatening injuries."
As deputies investigated, they reported that Bligh was driving by in his truck. They stopped him and said they noticed damage to his vehicle and that one of the mirrors was gone.
The defendant apparently conceded that he had drunk "a couple glasses" of wine at a bar and left to go to the grocery store. When they ultimately told Bligh of the charges against him, authorities stated he did not show remorse and said "whatever" multiple times, KXLY reported.
Bligh apparently failed three field sobriety tests and recorded a .065 BAC on a breath test.
Investigators watched nearby surveillance footage and learned more details.
Bligh appeared to be driving 50 mph in a 25 mph zone as Miller was walking across Perry Road. The video reportedly showed the truck braking, then swerving and hitting the woman.
She later died at the hospital.
Bligh was jailed, and his bail was set at $150,000. He's scheduled to enter a plea on Sept. 9.