Hayden Struggles With Beach Safety Issues Three Died Dec. 1 When Their Car Plunged Into Lake At Honeysuckle Beach

Hayden City Council members struggled Monday night with safety issues at Honeysuckle Beach following three recent deaths there.

Two men and a woman died Dec. 1 when their car plunged into Hayden Lake. Idaho State Police investigators have determined that alcohol was a factor in the accident.

Since the accident, the city has added a “dead end” sign and an additional speed limit sign. The city also plans to erect an aluminum barrier with reflector strips to block the eastbound side of the road leading toward the boat launch.

“That’s the only thing we’ve changed,” said Mayor Mike Sperle. “We’re open to other suggestions.”

At issue is the fact that Honeysuckle Avenue dead ends into the lake. Though the road to the lake has three speed limit signs, two “road ends” signs and two “do not enter” signs, the recent accident increased the death tally to six since 1995.

Alcohol was a factor in two previous fatal accidents in which cars drove down the boat launch and into the lake. Three Spokane residents died - two in September 1997 and one in November 1995.

Among the ideas suggested Monday night in letters to the council were constructing a gate to block entry after hours, adding speed bumps, putting up flashing lights or installing a stop sign.

The council expressed interest in speed bumps and asked City Administrator Bob Croffoot to research the possibility.

Jeff Thomas, patrol commander of the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department, applauded the city’s efforts but said people will find fault with whatever is done.

“In this litigious society, nothing is enough,” Thomas said. If you don’t put up a barrier, he said, people will say the city isn’t doing anything. If the city adds a barrier, people will complain if they run into it or scratch their cars on it.

“The reality is, of the six people who died there, they were all alcohol-induced deaths,” Thomas said. “It would be like pulling up all the trees because a drunken driver hits a tree.”