SPOKANE — The Spokane County Sheriff says new evidence shows a deputy’s patrol car struck a 15-year-old bicyclist in Spokane Valley two years ago, contradicting findings from multiple previous investigations into the crash.
Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich and an outside investigator said Wednesday that a review of evidence found Deputy Joe Bodman’s patrol car hit Ryan Holyk’s head.
Bodman was speeding on Sprague Avenue without lights or sirens on May 23, 2014, when the teen crossed the street against a red light. Holyk died from his injuries. His family has maintained that he had been hit. They filed a civil lawsuit against the sheriff’s office.
Knezovich said he wanted to release the new information but cautioned it doesn’t prove Bodman’s guilt.
The Spokesman-Review reports that Prosecutor Larry Haskell says he will re-examine the case in light of the evidence. Haskell previously cleared Bodman of criminal violations based on previous internal and outside investigations.
