Wrong-way driver causes fiery I-90 crash in Post Falls

A wrong-way driver crashed into a semitruck that then burst into flames early Thursday morning on Interstate 90 in Post Falls, according to Idaho State Police.

About 2:30 a.m., a 62-year-old Spokane Valley man was driving a Dodge Caravan east in the westbound lanes while a semitruck, driven by a 55-year-old Pennsylvania man, hauling cars was headed west, police said in a news release.

KHQ reported Kootenai County sheriff’s deputies were prepared to pull over the Dodge on suspicion of DUI when the minivan drove across the median, crashing into the semi. Aaron Snell, ISP spokesman, confirmed the statement in a text message.

The semi driver swerved to avoid a head-on collision, and the Dodge sideswiped the semi – rupturing one of its fuel tanks and spilling diesel on the roadway – on top of the Spokane Street overpass. The semi came to a stop, blocking both westbound lanes, and caught fire. The Dodge came to rest about 50 yards from the location of the crash, troopers said.

Troopers are still investigating whether impaired driving contributed to the crash, Snell said.

Kootenai County Fire and Rescue extinguished the fire, saving the trailer, though the semi itself was a total loss, ISP said.

The Dodge driver was taken to Kootenai Health with minor injuries. The semi driver, his wife and their adult son were treated at the scene for minor injuries.

Westbound I-90 was closed at Spokane Street for several hours while crews cleared the scene, ISP said.