Driver In Fatal Crash Gets 17-Month Term

Tue., March 25, 1997

From Staff And Wire Reports

A 19-year-old Post Falls woman will serve 17 months in prison for killing one person and injuring another in a high-speed crash on Interstate 90 last summer.

Lori Anundson, who authorities said was driving more than 90 mph when the accident occurred last April 15, pleaded guilty to charges of vehicular homicide and vehicular assault Monday.

Investigators said Anundson was driving westbound near the Liberty Lake exit when she struck a car from behind, causing it to flip onto its top. The driver of that car, Denise Boggs, 34, of Spokane, suffered head injures and multiple cuts.

Anundson’s Honda careened across the median and crashed head-on into a Ford driven by Sharon Deffenbaugh, 46, of Rathdrum. Deffenbaugh died after being taken to Sacred Heart Medical Center.

Anundson was ejected from her car and suffered severe leg and neck injuries.

Deputy Prosecutor Dianne Dougherty said Anundson was not intoxicated at the time and did not have a record of reckless driving.

“This was just a case of just stupid driving,” Dougherty said after the sentence.

Apologizing to victims’ family members, Anundson said she wished “I had died that day instead.”

, DataTimes

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