Two Latah County residents lost their lives Friday evening after a utility terrain vehicle plunged off a roadway and into a river in Benewah County, Idaho State Police reported.
The crash occurred around 9:25 p.m. near the 9000 block of Railroad Grade Road outside St. Maries. Authorities said a 52-year-old man and a 51-year-old woman from Potlatch were riding in a 2023 Can-Am Maverick Sport when the vehicle left the road, tumbled down an embankment, and entered the river below.
Neither occupant was wearing a seat belt. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Idaho State Police are investigating the incident. Additional details on the crash and the victims’ identities have been reported separately.
Authorities routinely stress that seat belt use in side-by-side and off-road vehicles significantly reduces the risk of fatal injury in rollover and ejection crashes.
What Comes Next
Idaho State Police are expected to continue their investigation into the cause of the crash. No further details on the victims have been officially released. Families and the Potlatch community have been notified.