Driver dies in semi crash at I-90 interchange
<p>Sgt. Kevin White, with the Idaho State Police, surveys the scene of a fatal accident Monday where a semi-truck crashed down an embankment of Interstate 90 just west of the Highway 41 interchange in Post Falls.</p>
POST FALLS - The semi driver who died during a crash off of Interstate 90 at Post Falls on Monday likely suffered a medical condition, police say.
A westbound semi pulling an Oroweat trailer crashed down an embankment just west of the Highway 41 interchange at Post Falls at 3 p.m.
The driver, who was not identified before deadline and was the lone occupant, died. Police believe the driver suffered a medical condition just before the accident.
A preliminary investigation indicates there were no skid marks caused by the semi.
The semi crossed eastbound I-90, went down an embankment, through a fence and uprooted a mature pine tree. It stopped in trees just before parked semi trailers in the parking lot of Interstate Plastic Inc, a plastic pipe manufacturer on Seltice Way south of the freeway.
"The semi came off the freeway at a high rate of speed into the trees," said Post Falls resident Christina Lemon, who was driving on Seltice Way.
Lemon said some employees of Interstate Plastic and witnesses rushed to the semi after the crash to rescue the driver, but police believe the driver died just prior to the crash.
Kelly Hunter, who lives in Post Falls and is a paramedic in Spokane, was among the first to arrive at the truck after witnessing it leave the freeway.
"It was obvious right away that there was no pulse," Hunter said.
The semi caused multiple crashes along I-90 that resulted in minor injuries.
Police said there could have easily been more serious injuries on I-90, and even more on Seltice if the semi had entered the road.
The crash also damaged a power pole. Avista Utilities was called to repair the damage.