MOSCOW - The man killed in a hit-and-run accident in Moscow had been drinking and was already lying in a bar's parking lot when he was run over, according to police.
Kristian Lee Nelson, 50, of Moscow, was pronounced dead from massive chest trauma after his arrival at Gritman Medical Center shortly after noon Wednesday, according to a Moscow Police Department news release. He had been drinking at the Corner Club bar in downtown Moscow earlier in the day, the release said.
"We're not sure if he came in already intoxicated, or if what he drank there increased his intoxication level," Moscow Assistant Police Chief David Duke said.
Detectives from the Idaho State Police will work with Moscow officers over the next few weeks to determine if charges are warranted against the driver of a red 1998 Dodge Durango who allegedly ran over Nelson, Latah County Prosecutor William Thompson Jr. said.
"It will take a while for them to get that information together for us to be able to ascertain exactly what happened," Thompson said.
Police have not released the name of the driver.
Thompson said possible charges include vehicular manslaughter and leaving the scene of an injury-accident. But that will depend on whether the driver was able to see Nelson, or knew whether he was struck, he said.
There are felony and misdemeanor degrees of vehicular manslaughter in Idaho law, Thompson said. Felonies involve conduct amounting to gross negligence, he said, while misdemeanors involve things like inattentive driving and speeding.
Nelson's autopsy has been scheduled for Saturday in Pullman, Latah County Coroner Catherine Mabbutt said. Toxicology reports should be done in about three weeks, she said. The autopsy should also determine whether Nelson was lying face-up or face-down when he was struck.
The Durango was traveling south in an alley by the Corner Club when it made a right turn into the parking lot, according to police. Nelson was lying near the alley, according to Thursday's news release.
The vehicle was located a short time later parked at the nearby Grange Building and impounded. The driver was taken to the police station for questioning.
Duke said interviews with bar patrons indicate Nelson was following his usual pattern.
"Most everybody at the club said that when he left, he always walked back to the northeast, up the alley."
Nelson's girlfriend said Nelson was unemployed, Duke said. Nelson lived near downtown Moscow on South Jackson Street.
Duke said the apparent fact Nelson was lying down could affect any decision the prosecutor's office makes about criminal charges.
"Him being in that position at that point, for any kind of criminal charges, you're going to have to prove certain intent and actions with someone in the roadway that is not visible," he said. "If it comes out that way, it will have a major impact on charging."
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Mills may be contacted at jmills@lmtribune.com or (208) 883-0564.
