Two state workers killed in head-on crash on U.S. 95
Grangeville, Idaho Two Idaho Transportation Department workers died Tuesday in a head-on collision on U.S. 95 about 20 miles south of Grangeville, authorities said.
James Onthank and Toby Joe Stevens, both 43 and from Grangeville, were heading northbound in an ITD dump truck when a southbound cement truck blew a tire, crossed into the path of the dump truck and hit it head-on, officials said. The tumbler of the cement truck broke loose and crushed the cab of the ITD vehicle, killing the two men.
The driver of the Grangeville Transit Mix cement truck, Walter Merrill, 49, of Cottonwood, was in serious condition at Syringa General Hospital in Grangeville, authorities said.
Hazardous-material crews responded to the crash to contain spilled diesel fuel at the site more than 200 feet from the Salmon River. It was determined the fuel did not contaminate the river.
No verdict yet in parents’ killing
Boise Jurors finished their first full day of deliberations Tuesday without a verdict in the murder trial of an Idaho teen accused of killing her parents in their bedroom in September 2003.
The 12-member panel began deliberating Monday afternoon after prosecutors and defense attorneys delivered closing arguments in the trial of Sarah Johnson, 18.
Johnson, who was 16 at the time of the killings, is accused of shooting Alan and Diane Johnson after a fight over the teen’s boyfriend.
During the closing arguments, prosecutor Jim Thomas called Johnson a selfish, self-absorbed killer who shot her parents out of a “fantasy” to marry her older lover and live off the inheritance money.
Defense lawyer Bob Pangburn argued somebody else killed Johnson’s parents.
He said the murder weapon, a powerful .264 caliber rifle, would have sent blood spraying in all directions but no blood was found on Sarah’s body.
Jurors will resume deliberations at 8 a.m. today.
Student took 2 knives to school
A student at Evergreen Middle School was suspended Friday for bringing two knives to school and showing them to his peers.
The eighth-grade student was suspended for three days after showing a pocket knife and another “ornamental, martial arts-type” knife to other students, said Melanie Rose, Central Valley School District spokeswoman.
“He didn’t do anything with them, he simply opened up his backpack and showed them off,” Rose said. “He didn’t threaten anyone; he didn’t even take them out.”
The incident happened after the school day had ended, but the student was still on school grounds, Rose said.
The student apparently has a collection of knives, she said.