Sandpoint man fatally injured

SANDPOINT — A Sandpoint man was fatally injured Sunday after being struck by a sport utility vehicle while attempting to walk across Fifth Avenue.

Mark E. Carter, 48, died of his injuries at Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d'Alene early Monday morning, Idaho State Police said.

The driver of the SUV, 31-year-old Newman A. Samples of Sagle, was arrested on suspicion of reckless driving after the collision, according to state police.

Troopers said Carter was using the Poplar Street crosswalk at about 5:10 p.m. when he was hit by Samples, who was driving northbound on Fifth in a 1991 Ford Explorer. Carter was reportedly walking eastbound, from the bike path side of Fifth toward Sandpoint Super Drug and Safeway.

Carter was taken to Bonner General Hospital then transferred to KMC, where he succumbed to his injuries at about 12:10 a.m., ISP said.

The collision remained under investigation on Monday.

Traffic near the scene was slowed for more than an hour after the crash. Numerous city and county law officers and emergency crews responded.

There were several near misses at the accident scene as some motorists drove through the middle of the investigation, ignoring emergency crews and warning lights.