TAKING PRECAUTIONS

EMT Phil Bowman and a trio of Ritzville firefighters carefully remove Shawn Fowler from his wrecked car on Monday morning. Fowler was struck by another vehicle at the intersection of Main Avenue and Palouse Street, in front of Ritzville City Hall. The fire department had to cut off the driver’s side door in order to extricate Fowler from the vehicle. Fowler and his passenger were taken to East Adams Rural Hospital where they were treated and released. Washington State Patrol is investigating the incident. The driver of the pickup that struck Fowler was Fire Chief Jim Bostic. He was leaving city hall on his way to an emergency call at the time of the accident. Ritzville Polic Chief David McCormick opted to have the WSP conduct the accident investigation. -Journal photo by Stephen McFadden