Fatal Crash Claims Two Lives in Bonner County
A head-on collision on Highway 95 near Sagle claimed the lives of two Sandpoint residents Sunday afternoon, according to Idaho State Police.
The crash occurred around 1:25 p.m. on May 25 near milepost 469 when an 18-year-old male driver traveling southbound in a red 2011 Buick LaCrosse crossed the centerline and struck a northbound white 2021 Dodge Ram 2500 pickup head-on.
The teenage driver and his passenger, a 48-year-old male from Sandpoint, died at the scene from their injuries. Both were wearing seatbelts at the time of the collision.
Two Others Transported to Hospital
The driver of the Dodge Ram, a 65-year-old Sandpoint man, and his passenger were both transported to a local hospital for treatment. One was taken by ground ambulance while the other required air ambulance transport. Their conditions have not been released.
All occupants in both vehicles were wearing seatbelts, according to the Idaho State Police report.
The collision blocked Highway 95 intermittently for approximately three hours as emergency crews worked the scene and investigators began their work.
Investigation Continues
Idaho State Police continue to investigate the cause of the crash. Authorities have not released the names of those involved, stating that next of kin notifications were still pending at the time of the report.
The crash occurred in a section of Highway 95 that runs through Bonner County near Sagle, a community located north of Sandpoint in Idaho’s panhandle region.
Idaho State Police District 1, which covers Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai, and Shoshone Counties, is handling the investigation.
What Comes Next
State Police will continue their investigation into what caused the southbound vehicle to cross into oncoming traffic. Investigators will examine road conditions, driver behavior, and other factors that may have contributed to the fatal collision.
The names of the deceased will be released once family members have been properly notified. Additional details about the crash are expected as the investigation progresses.
Highway 95 serves as a major north-south corridor through northern Idaho, connecting communities from the Canadian border south through the panhandle region.