Rathdrum Boy Injured When Mom’s Car Hits Tree

A Rathdrum boy suffered a broken leg when his mother’s car hit a tree north of Rathdrum Monday afternoon, according to the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department.

The 4-year-old, whose name was not available, had to be extricated after a car driven by Kerri Mulholland hit ice and spun out of control. The child’s foot was trapped in the car.

Mulholland, 23, reportedly was eastbound about 2 p.m. on Seasons Road a quarter mile east of state Highway 41. The car hit the tree on the passenger side. Both mother and son were wearing seat belts, according to the sheriff’s report.

In a second accident nearby on Highway 41, Gilbert Johnson, who turns 52 today, got an early birthday present of broken ribs, a bruised lung and head lacerations when the 1980 Harley-Davidson motorcycle he was riding was hit by another motorcycle.

According to Johnson, Dean Dykes, of Veradale, Wash., lost control of his 1989 black Honda when the visor on his helmet flipped down, temporarily blinding him. Dykes lost control of his motorcycle and clipped Johnson’s motorcycle, Johnson said, sending it tumbling.

Dykes was not seriously injured. His motorcycle was totaled, Johnson said.

Johnson of Lakeview, Ore., said he hopes to return to work at an Idaho lumber mill soon.

“Work is good medicine,” Johnson said.

, DataTimes