Boundary County man killed in crash

A 73-year-old Boundary County man was killed in a Saturday evening accident that blocked U.S. 95 near Naples for nearly five hours.

Idaho State Police is investigating the three-vehicle fatal crash that occurred just before 4:57 p.m. Saturday near milepost 497, near Naples. 

ISP officials said the accident occurred when a commercial motor vehicle driven by a 24-year-old male, from Surrey, British Columbia, Canada was northbound in a 2023 red Freightliner with a reefer trailer on the highway when he lost control when he had to brake suddenly to avoid stopped vehicles. The semi skidded into the southbound lane striking two passenger vehicles head-on. 

The first vehicle impacted was a white 2019 Toyota SUV, driven by a 73-year-old male with a 71-year-old female passenger. Both are Boundary County residents. The male succumbed to his injuries at the scene; the female passenger was life-flighted to Kootenai Medical in Coeur d'Alene.

The second passenger vehicle struck was a white 2011 Kia Sorento driven by a 33-year-old man from Athol. He sustained minor injuries and was released at the scene.

The commercial driver was uninjured. 

Everyone involved was wearing their seatbelts. The highway was fully blocked for nearly five hours. The next of kin has been notified.

The crash remains under investigation by the Idaho State Police. Assisting agencies: Boundary County Sheriff, South Boundary EMS, Boundary County Ambulance, Bonners Ferry Police Department, and Office of Emergency Management.