Pending crash probe leads to dismissal

SANDPOINT — A felony charge against a Clark Fork woman who’s accused of leaving the scene of a deadly crash was dismissed on Wednesday because the investigation is still ongoing.

The charge against Brianna Lucille Knapp was dismissed without prejudice, which enables the state to re-file the charge once the investigation is complete.

Knapp was briefly jailed following the July 25 accident, but was later released on her own recognizance.

Knapp, 28, is accused of leaving the scene of a crash which killed an off-duty Spokane Police officer.

Idaho State Police said Kurt Henson was riding westbound on Highway 200 when he struck an abrupt lane edge in a construction zone near Clark Fork and crashed. Henson, 47, of Post Falls, and his 43-year-old passenger, Kimberly Lenox, fell from the Harley-Davidson.

Moments later, a westbound Knapp crashed into Henson and his motorcycle with her Dodge pickup truck, according to ISP. Knapp allegedly left the scene, but her truck broke down and was found abandoned by the highway.

Henson was pronounced dead at the scene. Lenox survived and Knapp received a ride back to Clark Fork from another motorist. She reported to the sheriff’s office the day after the crash and was arrested.

In addition to the felony, Knapp was also charged with driving without privileges or proof of insurance. A jury trial on the misdemeanor offenses is set for Oct. 11 in Bonner County Magistrate Court.

Bonner County Deputy Prosecutor Roger Hanlon moved to dismiss the case in advance of a preliminary hearing on Wednesday. Judge Debra Heise granted the motion, court records indicate.

The hearing to determine if Knapp should be tried has been repeatedly postponed because the state has been waiting on the crash investigation and reconstruction report.

It’s unclear when the state police reports will be completed.