BF woman dies in Spokane River accident

POST FALLS — The victim of Monday’s fatality in the Spokane River at Post Falls was identified on Tuesday by the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office as Valerie E. Sandaker, 54, of Bonners Ferry.

Sandaker drove a 2012 Volkswagen Touareg into the river near Red Lion Templin’s Hotel off Idaho Street and Anchor Way just before 8 a.m., according to the KCSO.

The vehicle was completely submerged in nearly 20 feet of water and came to rest on the driver’s side. The water temperature at the time KCSO divers extricated Sandaker from the vehicle was approximately 36 degrees.

An autopsy was performed. The final autopsy results, which include toxicology testing, will not be available for several weeks. Foul play is not suspected.