[Vision2020] Two Pedestrians Struck in Pullman

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of today's (December 8, 2009) Moscow-Pullman Daily News.

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Two pedestrians struck in Pullman
Moscow man may have committed act intentionally; victims' injuries not
considered life-threatening
By Sarah Mason Daily News staff writer

A 31-year-old Moscow man is in custody and stands accused of striking two
pedestrians in separate intersections Monday morning on Northeast Stadium
Way in Pullman.

The unidentified victims were transported to Pullman Regional Hospital,
and Washington State University Police Lt. Steve Hansen said he didn't
believe their injuries were life-threatening. One of the victims is a WSU
student.

Hansen identified the driver as Daniel A. Noble, a financial specialist in
the University of Idaho's Trust and Investment Office.

The incident occurred shortly before 7:30 a.m., when Noble allegedly
struck one pedestrian in a crosswalk in front of Gannon-Goldsworthy Hall.
Police claim he continued driving and struck another pedestrian in front
of McCoy Hall before coming to a stop about a block and half later.

Earlier in the morning police had received a report of a similar car
driving erratically on State Route 270.

Hansen said Noble appears to have swerved onto the sidewalk and struck one
of the pedestrians.

"It raised some serious questions about the intent of the driver," Pullman
Police Officer Aaron Breshears said about the path of the vehicle.

Noble allegedly exited the Pontiac Grand Am he was driving and fled on
foot after stopping at the corner of Grimes and Stadium ways, according to
a WSU news release. He was apprehended by WSU Police in the vicinity of
McCoy Hall.

Noble was taken to the Pullman Police Department, and then transported to
Pullman Regional Hospital for a physical and mental evaluation, Pullman
Police Cmdr. Chris Tennant said.

Washington State Patrol troopers, Pullman Police officers and Whitman
County sheriff's deputies assisted WSU Police at the scene, documenting
evidence and directing traffic on Stadium Way, which was partially closed
for much of the day.

The car Noble allegedly was driving remained on scene for several hours
after the crash, with its windshield broken in and two front tires flat.
WSU Police Sgt. Monte Griffin said the car was impounded at about 2 p.m.,
and investigators plan to seek a search warrant for the vehicle in the
next few days.

Hansen said officers had to deploy a Taser device to subdue Noble, who he
described as "very uncooperative."

University of Idaho spokeswoman Tania Thompson confirmed Noble's
employment at the UI.

Griffin said toxicology tests have been performed and will indicate
whether drugs or alcohol were involved.

No further information about Noble or the victims was available before
press time. Griffin said WSU Police plan to issue a news release this
morning.

Anyone with information about the incidents is urged to contact WSU Police
at (509) 335-8548.

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A Washington State University Police Department car is parked in Stadium
Way outside Gannon-Goldworthy Hall as police officers investigate the
crime scenes from where a car driver struck two pedestrians Monday, Dec.
7, 2009 in Pullman.

http://www.dnews.com/images/4581533.jpg

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Shoes, a book bag, glove and two damaged signs are marked by police
officials as part of their investigation after a car struck two
pedestrians along Stadium Way on Monday, Dec. 7, 2009 in Pullman.

http://www.dnews.com/images/4581539.jpg

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Lt. Steve Hansen, right, of the Washington State University Police
Department, and Aaron Breshears, center, senior patrol officer with the
Pullman Police Department, look over the damaged Pontiac Grand Am police
allege to have struck two pedestrians along Stadium Way on Monday in
Pullman. (Below) Vince Waltz, left, a deputy with the Whitman County
Sheriff Department, and Jim Retzer, a trooper with the Washington State
Patrol, search for tire track marks and other clues.

http://www.dnews.com/images/4581527.jpg

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Vince Waltz, left, a deputy with the Whitman County Sheriff Department,
and Jim Retzer, a trooper with the Washington State Patrol, search for
tire track marks and other clues as Waltz marks evidence after a car
struck pedestrians in two separate Stadium Way locations Monday, Dec. 7,
2009 in Pullman.

http://www.dnews.com/images/4581545.jpg

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Seeya round town, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"The Pessimist complains about the wind, the Optimist expects it to change
and the Realist adjusts his sails."

- Unknown