Briefs Aug. 9, 2010

Divers find body near boat slip

COEUR d'ALENE - An 82-year-old man who had not been seen for at least three days was found Saturday night by divers in 32 feet of water, directly under his boat slip on Lake Coeur d'Alene.

The Kootenai County Sheriff's Department said the name of the man is being withheld pending notification of family. The sheriff's department did say the man lives most of the year in La Mirada, Calif.

The sheriff's department responded to the Carlin Bay Homeowner's Association Marina on the lake after receiving a report that a vehicle belonging to the man, who is a member of the community, had been parked at the marina for several days.

Some of his personal items, including a watch and sneakers, were at the boat slip.

The sheriff's department said it appeared the man was in the process of securing and mooring his boat, but never finished.

He was located by the sheriff's department dive rescue team, and his body was recovered.

The sheriff's department said there is no apparent sign of foul play. An autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death.

Two hurt in motorcycle crash

The driver of a motorcycle Saturday night failed to negotiate a curve and drove off the road, striking a curb, and injuring both himself and a passenger, the Idaho State Police said.

Bryan M. Lukezich, 33, of Ponderay, was traveling westbound on Highway 54 near Athol when the accident occurred, police said.

Both he and his passenger, 33-year-old Erica L. Dierksen, of Sandpoint, were thrown from the 1996 Harley Davidson motorcycle, police said.

Lukezich and Dierksen were taken to Kootenai Medical Center. Alcohol was a factor, police said.

Man pulled from Lake Pend Oreille

An unconscious 24-year-old Bonner County man was pulled from Lake Pend Oreille near Sandpoint's City Beach Saturday morning when swimmers and a lifeguard noticed he was struggling and had slipped under the water.

Matthew D. Gray, 24, was in critical condition at Kootenai Medical Center Saturday night. He was initially transported to Bonner General Hospital in Sandpoint.

Gray was swimming within the cordoned off swimming section of City Beach near the playground area when swimmers and a lifeguard saw him go under the water, according to Sandpoint Police Chief Mark Lockwood.

A nearby swimmer pulled Gray to shore where a lifeguard and a citizen began administering CPR, Lockwood said.

Lockwood didn't know how deep the water was or what caused Gray to get in trouble.

Chief Lockwood praised the unnamed citizen for being aware of Gray's situation and acting.

"This guy is a great citizen," he said. "We need more people like him who are willing to commit and make a difference."