Blast sparks lawsuit

SANDPOINT — A Bonner County woman who was injured by debris from an explosion at a rock quarry two years ago is suing the companies behind the blast.

Counsel for Betty J. Johnson filed suit Wednesday against Elite Explosives, North Idaho Drilling and both companies’ operators. The complaint seeks damages in excess of $10,000.

The blast happened at a private gravel pit west of Priest River on April 1, 2008. Johnson was among a group of onlookers that had gathered at the surface mine to watch the blasting, sheriff’s officials at the time said. The group included relatives of employees who were working at the site.

Johnson’s Hayden attorney, Jeffrey Owens, said in the suit that his client suffered serious injuries to her right arm and left leg when she was hit with debris from the explosion. The woman’s forearm and leg were fractured, the suit said.

Owens argues in the suit that his client was invited to observe the rock-blasting operation, but the defendants failed to provide appropriate protection for the bystanders.