RSSAutopsy today for I-82 shooting victim
Yakima Herald-Republic
E-mail
Print
Comments
More 'Local'
- Toppenish man driving in wrong lane killed in crash
- Police looking for woman they say robbed Sunnyside bank
- Lack of volunteers threatens plans to open homeless shelters
- Motorcycle driver injured in I-82 accident in Richland
- Former Wapato teacher found guilty on lesser charges of child rape
- Kittitas gets stimulus money for waste water treatment plant
- Two men in custody after shooting in Yakima
YAKIMA, Wash. -- An autopsy is scheduled for today for the woman shot in the head early Wednesday on Interstate 82 as the investigation into her death continues.
Sheryl Huntley’s common-law husband says she was shot by a hitchhiker the couple picked up shortly before 3:30 a.m. Wednesday north of Selah.
Detectives announced no major developments in their investigation Thursday.
State evidence technicians started examining the couple’s Dodge Neon about 10:30 a.m. Thursday and were still working in the late afternoon, said Stew Graham, the sheriff’s chief of detectives.
The pair was traveling from their home in Thompson Falls, Mont., to Yakima to return with a niece to Montana, investigators said.
Stephen Harwood, 34, told detectives he struggled with the hitchhiker after the man robbed them. Harwood said the hitchhiker fired several shots, hitting him in the hand and Huntley in the head.
She died after being taken off life support Wednesday afternoon at Yakima Regional Medical and Cardiac Center.
Harwood told detectives his search for a hospital was delayed because he was unfamiliar with the area. He drove down First Street to Union Gap and turned around before flagging down another motorist. That person called 9-1-1, prompting police to stop Harwood’s car at Walnut Avenue.
Graham said detectives have not uncovered any inconsistencies in Harwood’s account, despite the rarity of random homicides in Yakima County.
Barring major developments, the investigation will likely focus on the findings of the evidence team searching the car, Graham said.
Huntley, 40, had lived in Yakima and still has relatives here. She is survived by two sons with a former husband, a sister and her mother.
A memorial service is planned for 12:30 p.m. today at Keith and Keith Ninth Avenue Chapel in Yakima.
Posting Guidelines - Updated Aug. 21 2009
Readers are encouraged to use these forums to discuss issues affecting the
Yakima Valley. Debate the ideas presented in stories and other comments, but
refrain from personal attacks and offensive remarks aimed at others; e.g.,
you may call an idea idiotic, but don't say the person is an idiot. The
Herald-Republic reserves the right to remove any comment for any reason.
Examples include material that is obscene, encourages illegal activity or
stereotypes based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs and
other factors. Continued violation of these guidelines can lead to
suspension or revocation of your ability to post comments. If you believe a
comment is inappropriate, you can bring it to our attention by clicking the
"report violation" link by each comment. Guidelines revised Aug. 21, 2009.
Registered User?
