Deputy's crash is under investigation by state

EPHRATA – Grant County Sheriff’s Deputy John Bernard, 52, died in a one-vehicle wreck during his patrol shift Sunday night.

Bernard just completed a call for service and was traveling westbound on Road 5 Northwest, about nine miles south of Ephrata. Bernard was not heading to another call nor was he involved in a pursuit, Grant County Emergency Management Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman said.

Apparently the patrol car left the roadway and rolled, emergency management reported.

Details about how the crash happened are under investigation.

The Washington State Patrol Major Accident Investigation Team, based in Seattle, was called to Grant County to assist with investigation of the crash, Trooper Rich Magnussen said. It could be several weeks before the investigation is resolved.

“We want to do a thorough investigation,” he said.

Sheriff’s deputies, Grant County Fire District 3 and Quincy Valley Ambulance service responded to the crash, emergency management reported. Bernard was declared dead at the scene and transported to the Grant County Coroner’s Office for autopsy.

“He did not suffer,” Grant County Undersheriff John Turley assured.

A passerby reportedly located the patrol car on its roof and called for help, he said.

Turley explained Bernard died from severe head trauma. The roof collapsed inward as the car rolled. He was wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash.

Coping assistance and grief counseling was provided to more than 60 people connected to Bernard at the Grant County courthouse. Deputies were able to participate at the courthouse because other law enforcement agencies offered to handle calls for service.