Two killed in Sunday crashes

SPIRIT LAKE — Two people were killed and three people were injured in separate motor vehicle collisions on Sunday in southwestern Bonner County.

Idaho State Police said John W. Hampton was northbound on Spirit Lake Cutoff Road in a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse when he drove left of center while attempting to negotiate a curve and struck a 2004 Ford pickup truck driven by Josiah N. Thompson. Hampton’s sport utility vehicle entered the northbound ditch and overturned, while Thompson’s truck came to rest in the road.

State police said Hampton, a 50-year-old Spirit Lake resident, was pronounced dead at the scene. The other occupants of the Chevy SUV, Dawn M. Hampton, and an unidentified juvenile were taken to Kootenai Health for treatment. A fourth occupant, also a juvenile, was flown by Life Flight to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane.

Thompson escaped injury, state police said. All involved occupants were wearing seatbelts.

The crash occurred approximately six miles south of Spirit Lake at 11:23 a.m., according to ISP. The crash remains under investigation.

Approximately five hours later, Nichelette L. Greene was driving southbound on Vay Road in Jeep Wrangler when she struck Leo W. Welke, who was walking on the road. Welke, a 28-year-old from Priest River, was flow by Life Flight to Kootenai Health, where he was pronounced deceased, state police said.

Greene, a 38-year-old from Spokane Valley, Wash., was not injured in the collision, which remained under investigation on Monday.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.