Cyclist in relay race killed

BLANCHARD — One Spokane to Sandpoint relay race participant was killed and another was injured by a motorist on Highway 41 early Saturday morning, according to Idaho State Police.

State police said Bowdeen Sui-lan Kahuhu crossed into an opposing travel lane and onto the shoulder. Kahuhu’s minivan hit a teenage relay runner and a woman who was escorting her on a bicycle.

The cyclist, Patricia A. Lambie, a 46-year-old from Greenacres, Wash., was fatally injured in the collision. The runner, a 17-year-old whose name was withheld by ISP, was injured. Lambie, who was the teen’s support person, was wearing a helmet and both were wearing reflective gear, according to ISP.

Kahuhu, 31, of Newport, Wash., was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter, state police said. Alcohol may have been a factor, according to published reports.

State police did not specify which direction Kahuhu’s 1996 Plymouth Voyager was headed. The direction of the relay participants also was not specified, although ISP said they were on the west shoulder of the highway.

The crash happened shortly before 6:30 a.m., a couple of miles south of Tweedy Road.

The Spokane to Sandpoint scenic relay race began at Mount Spokane on Friday and ended Saturday at City Beach. The race involves teams of twelve runners taking turns running 36 three-mile legs.

A relay participant from Spokane was struck on Friday by a motorist on U.S. Highway 2 at Colbert Road, the Spokesman-Review reported. The 44-year-old reportedly suffered a broken leg when she failed to yield the right of way to a motorist.

Emergency crews in eastern Washington said they were not advised in advance that the 185-mile relay was taking place.

The Bonner County Sheriff’s Office issued an electronic advisory Saturday morning warning motorists to be on the lookout for relay participants.