Three Killed, Two Injured In Highway 95 Crash

COEUR D’ALENE –  Three people were killed and two people were seriously injured in a two-vehicle crash on Highway 95 near Cougar Gulch Road, south of Coeur d’Alene. 

The crash happened just after 7:30 p.m.  According to Idaho State Police, an Isuzu Rodeo was traveling northbound on Highway 95 when it went out of control and slid into the southbound lanes.  A Chevrolet Suburban then crashed into the passenger side of Rodeo.  The crash happened near Cougar Gulch Road, about a mile and a half southwest of Coeur d’Alene.

Two people, 20-year-old Benjamin Lockard of Kennewick, Washington and 19-year-old Ann Barney of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, were killed instantly.  The driver of the Isuzu, 21-year-old Tyler Pearson of Kennewick, died Saturday morning from his injuries at Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d’Alene.  A fourth person in the Isuzu, 19-year-old Brooke Smith of Kennewick, is listed in fair condition at KMC.

The driver of the Suburban, 35-year-old Lea Barnes of Lakewood, Wash., is listed in fair condition at KMC.

Troopers at the scene say that slick roads and excessive speed for the conditions were likely factors in the crash.  Fog and freezing temperatures made driving hazardous.  Troopers said that they are also investigating whether alcohol was a factor, as well.

All four people in the Isuzu were students at Washington State University, heading to Schweitzer Mountain Resort for a snowboarding trip.