2 injured after driver swerves to avoid deer

Two people were injured Monday when a young driver swerved to avoid a deer on U.S. Highway 395 and was then hit broadside by another car.

According to the Washington State Patrol, the crash happened just after 5 a.m., about six miles north of Chewelah.

Twenty-one-year-old Keith W. Tappe was driving north when he veered left to avoid hitting a deer. His 2004 Kia Spectra was then hit by a southbound 1993 Chrysler LeBaron.

Tappe was taken by ambulance to Mt. Carmel Hospital, and the driver of the other car, 44-year-old Richard N. Hough, was taken by ambulance to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chewelah.

The roadway was blocked for more than an hour with traffic only able to use the shoulder.

– Amy Cannata

Latah County, Idaho

Man dies when car strikes bull on highway

A Grangeville, Idaho, man died late Sunday on a North Idaho highway after the car he was riding in struck a bull standing in the road.

The crash happened shortly before 9 p.m. when 22-year-old James R. Parsons, of Moscow, Idaho, hit a black bull on Idaho State Highway 6 in Latah County.

Parsons was taken to Gritman Medical Center in Moscow. His passenger, 23-year-old Bruce Cordes, died from his injuries. Both men were wearing seat belts.

– Amy Cannata

Pullman

Person of interest reported in burglaries

Police have a person of interest in at least nine home burglaries late Friday and early Saturday in Pullman, an official said.

Finding unlocked doors at homes on College Hill, an intruder entered and stole personal identification and electronic equipment, including laptops, video game consoles and iPods, said Cmdr. Chris Tennant, of the Pullman Police Department.

Some residents were home at the time and told police they heard noises.

The targeted homes were close to one another on Michigan, Maple and B streets. The burglaries occurred between 10 p.m. Friday and 4 a.m. Saturday, according to a Pullman police statement.

– Nick Eaton