Quick thinking saves life in Peterson Hill crash

BONNERS FERRY – A Boundary County man was taking a bath when he heard a crash.

At first, the man, who asked that his name not be used because he did not want recognition, told the Bonners Ferry Herald that he thought it was a gunshot. But, he said his daughter told him she could hear people yelling for help.

As he got dressed to go to the scene to see what he could do to help, his son called and said he’d heard over the police scanner there had been an accident on Peterson Hill.

According to an Idaho State Police press release, a 28-year-old Coeur d’Alene man died from injuries received in the collision. ISP said the man died from injuries sustained in a two-vehicle collision around 10:14 p.m. near milepost 500.5 on U.S. 95 just south of Bonners Ferry at Peterson Hill.

ISP said a white 2002 Chevrolet Silverado driven by a 30-year-old female from Cocolalla was northbound on U.S. 95 when a southbound 2004 white Toyota Highlander driven by the Coeur d’Alene man crossed over the painted double yellow centerline, colliding with the Silverado head-on.

After hearing about the accident, the man said he grabbed three fire extinguishers from his garage and, with his daughter, rushed to the nearby crash site. When they arrived, they found the Highlander’s hood covered in flames, prompting the good Samaritan to grab one of his fire extinguishers to douse the fire.

Meanwhile, Bonners Ferry Police Officer Brandon Johnson was already on scene, assessing the situation — the car on fire, the oil and gasoline on the road, and the woman screaming in the Silverado. He quickly turned his attention to getting her to safety.

Johnson said that he could hear her screaming from the damaged vehicle. Laying crossways, she was pinned in the front seat. He was able to slide her out of the vehicle and carried off to a safe distance, he said.

“Otherwise she’d have burned alive,” he said.

He said his main focuses were on the fire, the gasoline and the woman in the car. Having the man with the fire extinguisher arrive to assist was a great help, as Johnson said he did not have his because it was undergoing maintenance.

Once the fire department showed up, they kept their vehicles back due to the risk of the vehicle igniting again.

Johnson told the Herald, the man with the fire extinguisher arrived a few minutes after he got to the scene. His early intervention meant that the fire was put out before the fire department arrived.

The Silverado’s driver, who was wearing her seatbelt, was injured in the collision and was transported to the hospital via ground ambulance, ISP said in the release. The Toyota’s driver, who also was wearing his seatbelt, was declared deceased at the scene. BFPD said the man died on impact.

Next of kin has been notified and the incident remains under investigation by Idaho State Police.

The roadway was blocked for approximately four-and-a-half hours to allow emergency responders to help those involved.

Bonners Ferry Police Chief Brian Zimmerman said the officer and good Samaritan saved the day, calling their actions were nothing less than “heroic.”

The good Samaritan told the Herald he wasn’t alone in helping. There were many other drivers who stopped to help and to comfort the woman.

He added that he has seen many accidents on Peterson Hill.