Hunter Survives Shooting Accident

Sun., Nov. 21, 1999

From Staff

A Rathdrum, Idaho, man survived being shot in the head Saturday while deer hunting.

Todd W. Landers, 31, was undergoing surgery Saturday night at Kootenai Medical Center. A report on his condition was not immediately available, but a hospital spokeswoman and law officers said Landers was conscious and talking after the shooting.

It did not appear that the .30-06 bullet penetrated Landers’ skull, said Sgt. Gary Johnston of the Bonner County Sheriff’s Department.

Landers and fellow Rathdrum resident Casey E. Pluid, 21, were driving on a forest road in southern Bonner County when they spotted a deer, Johnston said.

Landers stayed in the car while Pluid used its roof as a rest for his rifle. The men reported that Pluid fired two shots without realizing that his bullets were hitting the car roof. He did not hit the deer.

“The first round didn’t penetrate the roof,” said Johnston. “The second one did penetrate the roof,” hitting Landers in the head.

Johnston said Pluid drove to a Spirit Lake service station and called for an aid car.

Although the incident is being investigated, charges stemming from the shooting are unlikely, Johnston said. However, Pluid may face wildlife charges for shooting at game from a road.

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