Local Briefs September 26, 2011

Rathdrum policeman killed in cycle crash

An off-duty Rathdrum police officer was killed Saturday in a vehicle crash north of Newport, Wash.

Officer Jonathan Franco, 27, died after the motorcycle he was driving struck the rear of a 1996 Plymouth Voyager van driven by Ronald Sumner of Spokane.

Washington State Patrol is investigating the crash that occurred as both vehicles were traveling west near milepost 415, four miles south of Cusick in Pend Oreille County. The patrol report states Sumner's vehicle was struck by Franco's motorcycle after Sumner's vehicle slowed for an injured deer in the road. Debris from the motorcycle struck a third vehicle traveling east on the highway.

"Jonathan was very personable, interacting very well with the community and especially with children," Rathdrum Police Chief Kevin Fuhr said Sunday in a statement. "Jonathan was active in his church, was an avid gun collector, enjoyed traveling and riding his motorcycle."

Franco was hired by the Rathdrum Police Department in 2006 and served as a patrol officer.

Motorcyclist dies in I-90 crash

A 58-year-old Spokane man died sometime after 1 a.m. Sunday morning after the motorcycle he was driving crashed into the McGuire overpass abutment on Interstate 90 in Post Falls.

Idaho State Police said Thomas McClure was traveling westbound when he drove off the right shoulder of the road at milepost 3.1 and struck the abutment.

The crash scene was located by a passerby at 6:26 a.m. The time of the crash is unknown at this time. McClure was deceased when police arrived on the scene.

An investigation is pending.