Jury deadlocked in vehicular homicide trial

September 21, 2011

The Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office plans to retry a Deer Park man after a Superior Court could not reach a verdict after a week-long vehicular homicide trial.
Jonathon P. Bales was driving his 1985 Pontiac Firebird southbound on Wandermere Road at around 10:30 p.m. on July 16, 2010, when he apparently crossed the centerline and struck 54-year-old Rene Blaume, who was riding a Racer iScooter in the northbound lane near Glenrose Drive intersection. Blaume, an in-home care provider, died at the scene.
A subsequent toxicology test showed Bales had marijuana in his system at the time of the crash.
Just prior to the accident, a sheriff’s deputy noticed Bales' car had an inoperable headlight. When the deputy went to investigate he came upon the accident involving Bales and Blaume.
Bales also admitted to drinking earlier in the evening while helping a friend work on a car, according to the Spokane County Sheriff's Office report.