CLARKSTON— A former Cheney resident was killed in a motorcycle crash Friday, May 19, south of Clarkston.
Benjamin Nichols, 64, of Clarkston, was pronounced dead at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane after being airlifted to the medical center.
Nichols grew up in Cheney and was the current Asotin County Prosecuting Attorney.
The crash occurred at about 11:59 a.m. near the intersection of Critchfield Road and Swallows Nest Drive, according to a Asotin County Sheriff’s Office report.
Nichols was eastbound on Critchfield Road on his motorcycle when he was struck by an SUV driven by Richard B. Hensley, 79, of Lewiston, the report said. Hensley had been westbound and was attempting a left turn at the time of the crash.
Nichols “suffered severe injuries and was taken to St. Joe’s Regoinal medical Center,” the Sheriff’s Office report said. “Mr. Hensley did not suffer any injuries.”
Later, Nichols was airlifted to Sacred Heart due to the severity of his injuries, the Sheriff’s Office reported, noting Nichols died about 4 p.m. May 19.
Nichols grew up in Cheney and was a member of the Class of 1977. He graduated from Eastern Washington University in 1990 and earned a law degree from Gonzaga University in 1993.
He was appointed as Adams County prosecuting attorney in 2001, and was re-elected in each subsequent election, records show.
“The investigation is ongoing at this time and more information will be released as it becomes available,” the Sheriff’s Office report said.
Lucas is a former Cheney Free Press managing editor. He is a nationally published author who contributes regularly to several publications across the country.
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