Regional news
12-year-old bicyclist hurt in collision
A 12-year-old boy was taken to Kootenai Medical Center on Tuesday after he collided with a Ford Expedition and was thrown from his bicycle.
Police say 33-year-old Kellie Ann Riley of Hayden looked only to her left as she prepared to make a right turn from Lacrosse Avenue onto Government Way just after 3:30 p.m. Coeur d’Alene Fire Department Chief Kenny Gabriel said the accident occurred at a low speed, and that the boy was wearing a helmet.
The collision occurred just outside of Project Safe Place, an organization that helps counsel youths in crisis.
Between yelps of pain, the blond-haired youth answered a variety of questions as paramedics moved his legs.
Gabriel said the boy was attentive and complained of an ankle injury and hip pain. Gabriel said it appeared the SUV did not run over the boy, but rather that he slid underneath it after the collision.
Police cited Riley at the scene, although the accident is still under investigation.
Spokane woman hurt in fall is identified
Harrison, Idaho Kootenai County sheriff’s officials have identified the Spokane woman critically injured in a Fourth of July fall as 47-year-old Karen R. Stevens of Spokane.
Stevens fell over the edge of a 41-foot cliff on the evening of July 4, suffering severe head injuries, Capt. Ben Wolfinger of the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department said Tuesday.
Stevens was taken by helicopter to Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d’Alene on Sunday and was transferred to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle on Monday.
“I called Harborview today. She has not regained consciousness and is listed in critical condition,” Wolfinger said.
According to sheriff’s reports, Stevens and a friend, 46-year-old David Compton of Spokane, were having a cookout on some property at Powerderhorn Bay overlooking Lake Coeur d’Alene near Harrison.
Stevens, according to the report, was sitting on the edge of the cliff while Compton tended to the barbecue.
Compton heard a noise and looked up to see Stevens was slipping over the edge. She spun over onto her stomach and tried to grab some plants before she fell, the report says.
Compton ran to the bottom of the cliff and found Stevens unconscious on the rocks.
He flagged down a boater who called for help on a cell phone, the report says. Wolfinger said Stevens suffered massive head trauma and numerous broken bones.