Pedestrian struck by pickup dies

A pedestrian who was struck by a pickup truck last week on Blanchard Cutoff Road died Friday afternoon at Kootenai Medical Center.

Sara M. Jones, 18, was the victim of a hit-and-run accident, according to a press release from the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office. The Blanchard woman was pronounced dead at 1:55 p.m.

Paul James Cavanaugh Jr., of Spirit Lake, was allegedly driving under the influence, according to police reports. Police say the 44-year-old then fled on foot after hitting Jones from behind and later called police to report an accident.

Bonner County sheriff’s deputies arrested Cavanaugh just before 2 a.m. Friday when he returned to the scene of the accident. He remains in custody at the Bonner County Detention Facility in Sandpoint, according to the sheriff’s office. No further information was available Saturday.