Andrew Kim Law Firm, PLLC | Washington Legal Blog

9-Year-Old Washington Girl Killed In Motorcycle Accident

An elderly driver is being held responsible for the motorcycle accident death of a 9-year-old girl who was visiting her grandparents in Spokane, Washington, this weekend.

Nehalah May was riding on the back of her grandfather's motorcycle on Highway 195 on Sunday afternoon when a car turning left failed to see the approaching motorcycle. 89-year-old Esther Mae Westlund turned into the Harley Davidson driven by Robin Scholz. Scholz did not have time to break his bike or avoid the crash.

May died in the accident, while her grandfather, Scholz, remains in critical condition at Sacred Heart Medical Center. Westlund received only minor injuries and was cited for negligent driving.

Westlund has never before received a traffic citation and has a clean driving history. However, she will be re-evaluated in the days after the accident. May's father, Ron, wonders if age played a factor in the woman's negligent driving. Not seeing a motorcycle when turning left is a common motorcycle safety issue.