Idaho State Police are investigating a fatal crash that occurred yesterday (Wed) afternoon at around 1:30 at the intersection of U.S. Highway 95 and Highway 66 north of Viola in Latah County.
A 2010 Toyota Venza was traveling eastbound on Highway 66 and made a right turn to drive southbound on Highway 95. A 2009 Peterbilt semi-truck hauling cargo was traveling southbound on Highway 95 at the time the driver of the Toyota made the turn. The semi-truck made emergency maneuvers to avoid striking the vehicle, briefly swerving into the northbound left turn lane. The semi-truck then swerved back into the southbound lanes to avoid a crash with northbound traffic. The trailer of the semi-truck struck the Toyota, causing it to lose control and strike the guardrail on the southbound shoulder of the highway. The Toyota then rebounded off the guard rail, crossed left of center into northbound traffic, and struck a white 2022 Ram 2500 pickup truck head-on.
The Toyota was occupied by a 70-year-old unidentified woman from Palouse. She was wearing her seatbelt, but succumbed to injuries sustained from the crash on scene. The semi-truck was occupied by a 56-year-old man from Ferdinand, who was uninjured. The Dodge Ram pickup truck was occupied by a 57-year-old man from Otis Orchards, Washington. He sustained severe injuries and was transported to an out of area hospital via air ambulance for treatment.
Highway 95 was fully blocked for 4 ½ hours while responders conducted their investigation.
