Sandpoint man dies in Monday collision

DOVER — A Sandpoint man has died following a Monday evening crash.

According to Idaho State Police, Carson T. McCormick, 20, of Sandpoint, was eastbound on Highway 2 near Dover in a white 2002 Nissan Frontier at about 4:43 p.m. in the 24500 block of Highway 2 when he rear-ended a silver 2003 Mercedes M50 driven by Alan A. Ropp, 44, of Sandpoint and occupied by Lisa M. Ropp, 33, of Sandpoint.

Being rear-ended caused Ropp to be pushed into oncoming traffic, where he struck a white 1996 Chevy Tahoe driven by Raymond M. Arriaga, 60, of Priest River and occupied by Richard S. Taylor, 77, of Priest River, who was traveling westbound.

Ropp was pronounced deceased at the scene, he was not wearing a safety belt, Idaho State Police said in a press release.

All others involved excluding Mr. McCormick were transported to Bonner General Health. Mr. McCormick, Mr. Arriaga, and Mr. Taylor were wearing their safety belts, it is unknown at this time if Mrs. Ropp was or was not wearing her safety belt.

The roadway was blocked for approximately three hours. Next of kin has been notified and the investigation is ongoing.

Bonner County Sheriff’s officials put out a Nixle alert warning motorists to steer clear of the highway at milepost 24.5 at West Pine Street shortly after 5 p.m.

State police later put out an advisory indicating it was a fatality crash which closed both eastbound and westbound lanes of travel. The highway was reopened about 8:30 p.m. for traffic.