Idaho maze might reopen Friday

A North Idaho corn maze where a Spokane Valley high school student was killed Friday night might reopen Friday. It’s not known if the “zombie slayer bus” that struck and killed the teen will continue to operate at the Incredible Corn Maze along North Beck Road just south of Hauser Lake.

The seasonal attraction is temporarily closed but may reopen Friday, according to the website for the business. Suzie Dunn, who owns the Incredible Corn Maze under the Spokane-based company name NW Creative Solutions LLC, did not immediately return messages seeking comment Monday.

Jeremy T. McSpadden Jr., 18, a senior at West Valley High School, was acting as a role player inside the maze’s zombie attraction when he stumbled and fell in front of the passenger-side rear tires of a converted school bus around 10:30 p.m., witnesses told the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office. McSpadden died at the scene.

The Halloween attraction added the zombie bus feature this year, allowing guests riding the bus to shoot paintballs at attacking zombie characters. Dunn, who also is director of sponsorship sales for the Spokane Shock arena football team, launched a Kickstarter campaign with a goal of raising $10,000 for the Zombie Slayer Paintball Bus earlier this year. She canceled the fundraising drive Aug. 18 after only $111 was pledged.

West Valley High had counselors on hand Monday to help students and staff grieving McSpadden’s death.

Sheriff’s investigators did not have additional information to share Monday. Most government offices were closed for the Columbus Day holiday.