Sergeant Kenneth Salas Killed in I-90 Crash

Sergeant Kenneth Salas of the Spokane County Sheriff's Office was killed in the line of duty on August 9, 2025, while assisting with a traffic hazard on eastbound I-90 near Four Lakes. Salas, a 34-year law enforcement veteran and retired Technical Sergeant of the Washington State Air National Guard, was helping a truck driver remove a fallen hay bale when a motorcycle collided with his patrol vehicle and struck him. He died from his injuries at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center, while the motorcyclist was seriously injured but is expected to recover. The truck driver was not injured in the incident. The Washington State Patrol is investigating the crash, and Sheriff John Nowels has announced a news conference for additional details. Salas is survived by his wife and extended family, who have requested privacy as they grieve.