Guilty plea entered in fatal crash

COEUR d’ALENE — A Coeur d’Alene man pleaded guilty to inattentive driving charges stemming from a January 2009 accident that killed a Washington man.

Douglas A. Pomerinke, 41, received 120 hours in a sheriff’s community labor program in lieu of jail time for his Feb. 11 plea.

Pomerinke had originally been charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter, but the circumstances of the event warranted the lesser charge of inattentive driving, attorneys stated in court reports. 

“It’s an unfortunate event,” Judge William Hamlett told Pomerinke. “You’ll live with this the rest of your life ... I don’t know what purpose a fine would serve.”

According to court files, Hamlett was driving his truck home south on U.S. Highway 95 near milepost 426 on Jan. 6 when his vehicle hit slush and lost control after he attempted to switch lanes.

Hamlett’s truck crossed the center lane and struck the car being driven by Gary G. Lawrence, 73, in the northbound lane near the base of Mica Grade.

A third vehicle then struck the pile up.

Lawrence was not wearing a seat belt and died at the scene, according to court files.

“I wish it would have never happened,” Pomerinke told Hamlett. “I feel bad for the family.”

Hamlett suffered injuries from the accident, including a contusion to his head, broken limbs and a collapsed sternum. He missed three months of work recovering.

Between two and four inches of snow and slush covered the highway that day. Reports state Pomerinke was driving 45 miles per hour on the stretch of road, which has a 60 mph speed limit.

Prosecuting attorneys agreed with the sentence, stating family of the victim didn’t feel ill will toward the driver, or that he should serve jail time.

Pomerinke must complete the labor program by Sept. 13.