U.S. 95 crash injures woman

BONNERS FERRY — A Boundary County woman was seriously injured Wednesday after crashing into a dump truck on U.S. Highway 95 near downtown.

The injured woman, 46-year-old Claire Elliott, was charged with driving under the influence and failure to provide proof of liability insurance, Idaho State Police said.

Elliott was northbound on the highway when she failed to negotiate a curve near milepost 507, according to state police. She lost control of the Honda Accord she was driving, jumped a raised median and wound up in the path of a southbound Kenworth dump truck.

The Canadian truck driver, David A. McIntyre, swerved and braked in an attempt to avoid a collision, but struck Elliott's car, ISP said.

Elliott was trapped in her vehicle and had to be extricated by emergency personnel. State police said it was unclear if she was wearing a seat belt at the time of the wreck.

Elliott was taken to Boundary Community Hospital and subsequently transferred to Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d'Alene, state police said. She was listed in fair condition on Thursday, a hospital spokesman said.

McIntyre, a 41-year-old, from Calgary, Alberta, escaped injury, according to ISP, which McIntyre was belted in when the crash occurred.

The crash occurred at about 5:45 p.m. and completely blocked the highway. One lane was opened to northbound traffic at about 6:45 p.m. and a southbound lane was opened at approximately 8:45 p.m.

Unrestricted traffic flow was restored by about 10 p.m., state police said.