Horseback rider in ICU after hit and run

A 20-year-old Post Falls woman remained in intensive care on Wednesday after she was struck by a truck while riding horseback on Garwood Road Tuesday night.

Lauren Johnson, a Lake City High graduate who suffered a fractured skull and collar bone, was in fair condition at Kootenai Medical Center.

Becca Lobato, a friend who was riding alongside Johnson, said Johnson was temporarily unconscious and doesn't remember the accident that occurred at 8:30 p.m. east of U.S. 95 near Rimrock Road.

"The horse did a somersault from what I saw, and Lauren was face down on the (paved) road," Lobato said, adding that Johnson and the horse were sideswiped from behind. "I started crying when she didn't know anything had happened."

Blondie, the buckskin quarterhorse Johnson was riding, sustained multiple wounds. It does not appear the horse will have to be put down, Lobato said.

Lobato described the truck as black or dark gray, large and possibly with racks on top.

"I only saw the truck for a split second because my horse jumped," Lobato said. "If they slowed down, I didn't see it."

"They had to have known they hit them because it's a 1,200-pound horse."

Kootenai County Sheriff's Department Lt. Stu Miller said the truck should have damage to the passenger side.

Lobato estimates the truck was traveling at least 60 mph in the 40-mph zone. She hopes someone traveling in the opposite direction saw the truck.

"The truck came up on us so fast," said Lobato, who works at the Coffee Cottage in Post Falls with Johnson. "Lauren had just said, 'That truck is going fast,' and 2 seconds later, she was sideswiped."

A passerby assisted the two and 911 was called.

Lobato said she doesn't believe the sun affected the visibility of the driver, which was also headed toward U.S. 95.

"I don't see how it could have because it wasn't bothering us," Lobato said. "I just think they weren't paying attention."

Lobato said the two commonly ride horses along roads - as many others in the Garwood area do - because their horses are not spooked by traffic.

Lobato said Johnson had just hid her saddle along the road because Blondie was acting up. Riding bareback may have prevented further injuries, Lobato said.

"If she would've had the saddle on, she would've gotten stuck," Lobato said.

Those with information are encouraged to call the KCSD at 446-1300.