Tense moments on I-90

Disaster was averted this morning on eastbound Interstate 90 from the state line to just east of the Huetter rest stop while a man went into diabetic shock and swerved on the freeway throughout the ordeal.

An off-duty Spokane County deputy spotted the Spokane driver swerving near the state line and followed the GMC Jimmy, said Post Falls police Sgt. Dave Marshall.

The driver struck a concrete barrier around 9:35 a.m. near the state line and continued to drive eastbound.

A Post Falls officer followed suit and, not knowing the situation, activated the overhead lights at milepost 6 at Post Falls.

The driver continued to drive about 50 mph, swerving, and pulled over just east of the rest stop.

Police initially treated the incident as a felony DUI case and temporarily placed the man, described as being in his 50s, in handcuffs.

As soon as police realized the man had been having a medical episode and cooperated, they immediately took the handcuffs off, Marshall said.

"He said he was on his way to Jack in the Box for breakfast and the last thing he remembers was hitting a jersey barrier," Marshall said. "He doesn't remember anything after that."

Kootenai County Fire and Rescue arrived to treat the man.

The front driver's side tire of the GMC was destroyed during the incident. No other crashes occurred.

Idaho State Police and the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office also responded.

Eastbound freeway traffic was initially stopped during the investigation before the passing lane opened.