Vehicular homicide charge dismissed

NEWPORT — A vehicular homicide charge against a Spokane man is being dismissed while prosecutors review evidence in the case, Pend Oreille County Court records show.

The felony offense against Nelson Joseph Dunn was dismissed without prejudice, which means the state can refile it.

Dunn, 24, was arrested on Monday afternoon after rolling his Ford Expedition sport utility vehicle down a 300-foot embankment on Bead Lake Road, according to Pend Oreille County sheriff’s officials. Dunn’s 23-year-old wife, Hannah, was fatally injured in the crash and died at the scene, sheriff’s officials said.

Alcohol was a factor in the crash, according to the sheriff’s office.

The state said in its motion to dismiss that it is awaiting results of Nelson Dunn’s blood for alcohol concentration and Hannah Dunn’s autopsy, court records show.

Judge Robin McCroskey ordered the dismissal on Tuesday.

The couple was reportedly returning from a camping trip at Cooks Lake when the rollover crash occurred.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.