News release contradicted by ISP probe

SANDPOINT — An Idaho State Police investigation has cast a new light on a crash on U.S. 95 late last year.

The crash happened on Nov. 27, 2008, near the Blacktail Road turnoff. Four people were injured.

The investigation ultimately determined that Clyde D. Brown, 82, was trying to turn southbound on the highway from a private driveway when the front fender of his pickup clipped the front of a northbound coupe driven by Debi A. Grantham, 53, of Sandpoint. Brown and Grantham were both injured, as were their respective passengers, 80-year-old Shirley D. Brown and 56-year-old Dale E. Grantham.

An ISP news release issued immediately following the crash stated that Grantham’s Saturn was southbound and Brown’s Ford was northbound, directions of travel which were subsequently contradicted by the investigation.

The impact caused Grantham’s vehicle to turn counterclockwise in the roadway, coming to rest facing northeast, the investigative report said.

The state police news release further stated that alcohol was involved in the crash, but the investigation later determined that neither Clyde Brown nor Debi Grantham had been drinking. Both drivers’ blood-alcohol contents were measured at 0.00, according to the investigative report.

Brown, who lists addresses in Post Falls and Oak Creek, Wis., was cited for failure to yield to traffic while gaining access to the highway, the report said.