Jabaay charged in fatal crash

COEUR d’ALENE — The man accused of killing a 10-year-old boy while driving intoxicated has a history of alcohol-related crimes.

Ryan Jabaay, 32, was charged with four felony counts Tuesday for allegedly hitting a Mazda driven by Kaye Frisbie on Fourth Street, killing her 10-year-old son, Sawyer Frisbie, injuring her and seriously injuring her 12-year-old son, Christian Frisbie.

“This is obviously a serious constellation of charges,” said Kootenai County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Marty Rapp in Judge Jim Stow’s courtroom. “Certainly these are charges of a nature that could result in serious prison time.”

Stow seemingly agreed, setting Jabaay’s bond at the $750,000 amount Raap had requested.

Jabaay, of Cocolalla, has been charged with vehicular manslaughter, two counts of aggravated driving under the influence and one count of leaving the scene of an accident. Leaving the scene of an accident carries a two-and-a-half year maximum sentence and the other three felonies have a 15-year maximum.

Jabaay answered Stow’s questions with “yes,” and “no.”

In 1993, Jabaay was convicted of two felony criminal mischief charges. He was also convicted of driving under the influence in 1996 at least one time and possibly more since his record shows him being charged twice on the same day, Raap said. He has also been convicted of misdemeanor possession of marijuana and minor in possession of alcohol.

Witnesses said Frisbie was southbound in a 1990 Mazda 323 on Fourth Street in the eastbound turn lane for Interstate 90 at 9:47 p.m. when Jabaay allegedly ran a red light traveling northbound at a high rate of speed. His 2006 Ford F-150 struck the passenger side door of the Mazda, causing massive damage. The Coeur d’Alene Fire Department removed the victims from the vehicle.

Kaye Frisbie suffered head injuries, Christian Frisbie had injuries to his legs and pelvis and Sawyer Frisbie was killed on impact. Kay was listed in good condition and Christian was listed in fair condition at Kootenai Medical Center Tuesday afternoon.

When officers arrived at the scene, Jabaay allegedly tried to run from the area and was pursued by a Coeur d’Alene police officer.

“Essentially, he tried to leave and people who witnessed the accident prevented him,” Raap said.

Jabaay refused a blood alcohol test and results from a blood test are pending. A date for his preliminary hearing has not been set.