Infant still in critical condition
COEUR d'ALENE - A 1-year-old girl remains in critical condition at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane following an accident Sunday afternoon on Fernan Lake Road, the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office said Monday.
The office originally reported that it was a boy, but identified the girl as River Deshazer. The girl's brother, 5-year-old Evan Deshazer, was pronounced dead at Kootenai Health in Coeur d'Alene following the single-car accident.
According to the initial investigation, Sarah Deshazer, 25, of Coeur d'Alene, was driving a Dodge Durango on Fernan Lake Road and attempted to turn around in the middle of the road around 1:45 p.m. when one wheel went off the roadway causing the vehicle to slide down an embankment.
At some point before the vehicle became submerged, Sarah and her husband, Michael Deshazer, 28, were able to get out of the vehicle, but could not reach their children before it sank in about 12 feet of murky water.
The children were initially transported to Kootenai Medical Center. River Deshazer was then air lifted to Spokane.
A bank account has been established to help the Deshazers.
Justine Graybeal, Fresh Start operations manager, said the family had been clients at the Coeur d'Alene center that offers services to the homeless and mentally ill for about three weeks. They received clothing, food, gas money and referrals.
Michael and Sarah Deshazer were unemployed and had a small trailer, she said.
Michael Deshazer has family and friends in the area. He and his wife recently moved here with their children.
"They were loving, caring parents," said Teresa Martinson, who helps with Fresh Start operations.
Contributions to the "Mike and Sarah Deshazer Donation Account" are being accepted at any Idaho Independent Bank.
The public relations department at Sacred Heart said the family does not want to talk to the media at this time.
The Spokane County Medical Examiner will be conducting an autopsy Monday, said Lt. Stu Miller, of the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office.
The sheriff's office Traffic Investigation Team is conducting the investigation.