Rushing cleared of traffic charges

Airway Heights mayor Patrick Rushing was recently cleared of misdemeanor citations of hit-and-run and following too close to a vehicle, both of which resulted from a two-vehicle accident back in January.

On the morning of Jan. 7, Rushing was driving an empty school bus for the Medical Lake School District when he rear-ended a vehicle at the corner of Highway 2 and Brooks Road. No injuries were reported in the accident and the other vehicle’s left tail light was broken.

According to Rushing, both parties left the scene due to the concern that the driver of the damaged vehicle was late for work and Rushing was running behind on his route.

“I told them that if it were more convenient for them that they could contact the Medical Lake School District Transportation Office and make arrangements to exchange insurance information when it was best for them,” Rushing said.

When Rushing arrived at the transportation office, a Spokane County Sheriff’s deputy issued him citations for leaving the scene of an accident and following too close. Shortly after the accident, Rushing resigned from his position as a bus driver for the school district.

Rushing was cleared of all citations after the insurance company paid for the damages to the other vehicle and the driver decided not to pursue any further legal action. During this time, Rushing requested the Airway Heights Police Department conduct a review of his driving record, which Sgt. Robert Swan concluded was clean. The accident also does not prevent Rushing from operating city vehicles or performing his public duties as Airway Heights mayor.

Rushing explained that he did not disclose the information to staff or City Council because he believed the accident was a minor incident that happened while he was a Medical Lake School District employee and not as the Airway Heights mayor.

“Since the matter was under litigation and did not involve my position with the city, I decided to wait to inform the council,” Rushing said. “When the citations were dismissed, I believed that it was then a non-issue as my driving record and status is not affected.”

City Manager Albert Tripp said staff and the City Council supported Rushing and understood his decision on when to inform city officials.

“We felt the accident was a private matter,” Tripp said.

Rushing also believes that a former political opponent went public with the information without knowing the outcome, nor realizing the negative publicity it would bring to the city.

“I sincerely apologize for taking the actions that I did that morning and causing this issue to become a distraction,” Rushing said.

Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.