Police: Alcohol factor in 95 crash

COEUR d'ALENE — An injury crash on Wednesday night caused the area of a natural gas regulatory station to be evacuated and U.S. 95 south of the Spokane River bridge to be closed more than two hours due to a gas line break.

According to Idaho State Police, Frances C. Coffey, 50, Coeur d'Alene, who was treated and released at Kootenai Medical Center, was northbound on U.S. 95 at about 8:10 p.m. at Fairmont Loop Road.

Coffey, driving a 1992 Ford Explorer, drifted off the east shoulder and struck the guardrail. She then swerved to the left and ran off the road, continuing north for about 40 yards where she sideswiped a tree on the drivers' side.

The vehicle continued on and struck a fence surrounding a natural gas regulatory station, according to ISP. It struck regulatory pipes, moving them 6 inches and causing a break in the line.

Troopers on scene evacuated the area and closed the highway while Avista Utilities worked to turn off the natural gas.

Alcohol was a factor in the crash, according to ISP. An investigation continues.