Friday crash sent two to hospital
SANDPOINT — A four-vehicle accident Friday ended up sending two people to the hospital including one woman who was flown to Kootenai Health via Lifeflight with serious injuries.
The accident, which was called in about 3 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 6, in the area of Highway 95 and Selle Road took some time to unravel because of the number of cars involved, Bonner County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Tim Hemphill said.
At this point, Hemphill said it appears the first vehicle involved in the accident “T-boned” a second vehicle, sending it spinning back into the roadway. The first vehicle then struck a third vehicle stopped on a side street. A fourth vehicle then clipped the front end of the vehicle that has been T-boned, causing the fourth vehicle to roll.
Because the third vehicle is state-owned, the sheriff’s office was asked to take lead role in the investigation with the Idaho State Police conducting a parallel investigation.
Injuries were reported to occupants of the first two vehicles involved in the accident. Hemphill said there was no update on how the person who was flown to Kootenai Health is doing. The second person was taken by ambulance to Bonner General Health, where they were treated and released.
While normally ISP handle primary investigation when there is a serious injury accident, Hemphill said because one of cars was a state-owned vehicle, BCSO is taking the lead role to avoid the appearance of any conflict of interest as the investigation unfolds.
“However, as of this time, there isn’t a final determination as to what happened,” said Hemphill. As a result, not all details of the accident are being released.
While investigators feel they have “a pretty good take” on the accident, Hemphill said they would be happy to hear from anyone else who may have witnessed what happened. Anyone who witnessed the accident is asked to call Bonner Dispatch at 208-265-5525.
Caroline Lobsinger can be reached by email at clobsinger@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @CarolDailyBee.