The middle-aged man who was found deceased along U.S. Route 60 just outside Rupert town limits has been identified as Buddy Spade, a Rupert resident.
According to Rupert Police Chief Chuck Burkhamer, Spade was found at 11:30 am on Wednesday, December 8, in a ditch just west of town. He had been visiting with friends and decided to walk home just after midnight that same day. Officers were told that Spade had been complaining of chest pains just before leaving, and had recently been released from the hospital, but no official cause of death has yet been identified.
There were no visible marks on his body suggesting that he had been struck by a vehicle, but that has not been ruled out as a cause of death, Burkhamer said. His body has been sent to the state medical examiner’s office.
His family has been notified of his passing, Burkhamer added.
“I just want to remind everyone at this time to drive carefully,” Burkhamer said. “This happened on Wednesday when we received some snowfall, so visibility may have been down. I would also just like to remind pedestrians to be careful as they walk along the road.”
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