In brief: Speed, weather blamed in crash
A three-car accident Friday morning on U.S. Highway 95 sent two people to the hospital. Police blamed the accident on speed and icy roads.
Paul Daniels, 17, of Sagle, Idaho, was driving north on the slick highway near Chilco, just south of Athol, about 7:30 a.m. when he lost control of his 1989 Pontiac Firebird and slid into the southbound lane. A southbound 2000 Chevy Malibu driven by Linda Jordan, 60, of Careywood, Idaho, struck the passenger side of the Firebird.
The third vehicle, a 1998 Chevy Silverado driven by 68-year-old Albert Wilkerson, of Athol, was behind the Malibu and had only minor damage. Wilkerson was treated at the scene. Jordan and Daniels, who had to be pried out of their vehicles, remain at Kootenai Medical Center. Daniels, who was not wearing a seat belt, was listed in serious condition Friday night, and Jordan was in fair condition.
The wreck slowed traffic to a crawl on the highway, with only one lane open for about two hours.
Idaho State Police Trooper Chris Donahue said speed and weather were factors in the crash.
“The roads were icy and it was snowing out,” Donahue said. “I was flying around myself even just walking on the highway.”
Several other minor accidents were reported in the area Friday morning, Donahue said.
“Folks just have to slow down and leave enough space between them and the next vehicle,” he said.
Coeur d’Alene
State issues ban on open burning
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality has issued a ban for open outdoor burning in the Silver Valley and Pinehurst areas because of buildup of smoke in the area.
Air quality in the valley was listed as unhealthy for sensitive groups, according to a press release issued by the agency Friday.
Stagnant air, along with widespread wood stove use in the valley, have contributed to the poor conditions, and outdoor burning is not allowed. Indoor stoves and fireplaces may still be used.
The ban is in effect until conditions are re-evaluated today, and everyone is advised to limit exertion outdoors, the release said.
For more information go to www.deq.idaho.gov/air/, or call the air quality hotline at (800) 633-6247.
Colfax
Rollover crash kills driver, 26
A 26-year-old man was killed Friday when his car rolled on State Highway 26 about 10 miles west of Colfax, the Washington State Patrol reported.
Nicholas Eugene McMillen, of Cottonwood, Idaho, was eastbound on the highway about 10:30 a.m. when the 1971 Ford pickup he was driving drifted to the shoulder, the state patrol said.
The truck rotated and rolled off the south shoulder of the road, coming to rest on its top in a field, WSP said.
McMillen died at the scene. He was not wearing a seat belt, the WSP said.