Washington Man, 78, Charged With Vehicular Homicide After Fleeing Fatal Pedestrian Crash

John Bligh, 78, struck and killed 73-year-old Karen Miller in Spokane County, then drove off. When charged, he repeatedly responded "whatever."

Suspect Said 'Whatever' After Pedestrian Left to Die on Road

A 78-year-old Washington man faces vehicular homicide charges after striking a pedestrian and driving away, leaving her dying in the road, the Spokane County Sheriff's Office announced. Law & Crime reports that John F. Bligh later showed no remorse when informed of the charges against him, repeatedly saying "whatever."

The victim, Karen Miller, 73, was crossing Perry Road near the intersection of North Perry Road and East Appaloosa Lane — just north of Spokane city limits — when she was struck at around 7:50 p.m. on Tuesday. Callers reported that the driver had fled the scene and left Miller "lying in the road."

Emergency personnel transported Miller to a nearby hospital with what appeared to be life-threatening injuries. She later died there.

As deputies investigated the crash site, Bligh drove past in his truck. Officers stopped him and observed damage to the vehicle, including a missing side mirror. Bligh told investigators he had consumed "a couple glasses" of wine at a bar before heading to the grocery store.

Surveillance footage from the area showed Bligh's truck traveling at approximately 50 mph in a posted 25 mph zone as Miller was crossing the road. The video reportedly captured the truck braking, then swerving into the woman before the driver continued on without stopping.

Bligh failed three field sobriety tests and registered a blood alcohol content of .065 on a breath test. When deputies informed him of the charges he was facing, he did not express remorse and said "whatever" multiple times, according to KXLY, the regional ABC affiliate.

Bligh has been charged with vehicular homicide, hit-and-run causing death, and reckless driving. His bail was set at $150,000, and he is scheduled to enter a plea on September 9.

Source: Law & Crime