In brief

Two found dead in truck near tracks

The bodies of two people were discovered Monday in a pickup truck near a Hayden Avenue train crossing, according to Idaho State Police.

Investigators said it appears the 1989 Mazda ran into the moving train at a crossing on Hayden Avenue, just west of Highway 41.

The passenger was identified as 29-year-old Jesse Neff of Pinehurst. Authorities had yet to notify the driver’s family and did not release the victim’s name as of Monday evening.

Investigators believe the crash happened late Sunday or early Monday. Idaho State Police Capt. Wayne Longo said the wrecked pickup was forced about 100 feet into a farmer’s field.

The pickup stayed on its wheels and the damaged front end wasn’t facing the freeway, Longo said. To passing drivers, Longo said, it might have looked like it was parked in the field. .

Longo said even the train crew apparently did not know the wreck had occurred.

– Taryn Brodwater

Colfax

Idaho man dies from crash injuries

A 51-year-old Idaho man injured in a single-car crash near Colfax over the weekend has died.

Jeffrey M. Sloan, of Hailey, crashed just after midnight Saturday, the Washington State Patrol said.

Sloan was southbound on U.S. Highway 195 when he lost control on a curve, officials said.

He died at Deaconess Medical Center.

Speed and alcohol were factors in the crash, the WSP said.

– Jody Lawrence-Turner

Pullman

Driver faces 2 counts of vehicular homicide

The Washington State Patrol has arrested the driver in a Friday crash that killed two people near Pullman.

Luis O. Dominguez, 32, of Lewiston, was booked into the Whitman County Jail on two counts of vehicular homicide Sunday, said WSP spokesman Trooper Jeff Sevigney.

Dominguez was driving southbound in a 2002 Chevrolet Blazer when it rolled early Friday, investigators said. Fredi Perez-Araujo, 24, and Ramon Soto-Soto, 25, both of Clarkston, were killed.

Speed and alcohol were factors in the crash, officials said.

– Jody Lawrence-Turner

Rathdrum

Motorcyclist chased with stepson, 7, aboard

A Rathdrum man was arrested Saturday after allegedly speeding on his motorcycle with his 7-year-old stepson on the bike, according to sheriff’s reports.

The Kootenai County Sheriff’s deputy who was chasing the motorcycle lost control while rounding a corner and crashed the police cruiser into a fence.

Jason Michael Genge, 28, was arrested on suspicion of driving without privileges, injury to a child and reckless driving. He has since been released from the Kootenai County Jail.

According to sheriff’s reports, Deputy T.G. Nordgaarden was near Hayden Avenue and Ramsey Road when he saw a speeding motorcycle.

Nordgaarden said he followed Genge down Hayden Avenue at 70 to 80 mph. When the motorcycle turned onto Happy Trails Road, the deputy’s cruiser slid through the fence. No one was injured.

Nordgaarden said he didn’t know a child was on the bike until a witness told him.

– Taryn Brodwater