Jay pleads not guilty in crash case

SANDPOINT — A Bonner County sheriff’s deputy accused of causing a collision that seriously injured two motorcyclists from Priest River is pleading not guilty.

Phyllis Jean Jay is charged with inattentive or careless driving. A pretrial conference in the misdemeanor case is set for Aug. 21.

The charge arose from a May 29 collision at the intersection of U.S. Highway 95 and Sagle Road. Idaho State Police said Jay pulled onto the highway and clipped the rear wheel of a motorcycle carrying two people.

The motorcycle’s driver, Rodney Howard, 67, suffered a broken clavicle and ribs after being knocked from his three-wheeled bike. Passenger Catherine Howard, 66, suffered a skull fracture with internal bleeding, according to court documents.

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