Five taken to hospital after three-car crash near Rathdrum

Idaho State Police are investigating a three-car crash near Rathdrum that sent five people to the hospital on Thursday.

At about 1:40 p.m. on State Highway 53 at Fowler Road, east of Rathdrum, a man driving a 1995 Ford Econoline van hit the rear end of a 2008 Lexus SUV driven by a woman, according to a news release from Idaho State Police.

The Lexus was pushed into oncoming traffic, where it was then hit by a Nissan van pulling a cargo trailer. The Nissan, occupied by a man and a woman, flipped onto its roof and came to a rest on the side of the road.

All but one of the individuals in the accident was wearing a seat belt at the time, and all were taken to Kootenai Health. Their conditions are unknown.

The road was blocked for about two hours, according to ISP.