Man faces felony DUI charges

POST FALLS — A 27-year-old Post Falls man was charged with felony DUI on Sunday after allegedly causing a two-vehicle crash on Highway 41.

Benjamin J. Rupnick was arrested after the accident in the 1300 block of Highway 41 in Post Falls at 4:43 p.m. He was being held at the Kootenai County jail on Monday on $50,000 bond.

"He was driving southbound on Highway 41 and going to turn into Chateau (Mobile Home Village) when he crossed the center line and struck a northbound vehicle," Post Falls Police Detective Dave Beck said.

Rupnick was driving a Dodge Caravan, which collided with a Subaru driven by an adult female from Rathdrum, Beck said.

There were minor injuries, but neither driver was transported to the hospital.

"The crash caused thousands of dollars' worth of damage to the vehicles," Beck said. "She tried to veer to the right, but couldn't avoid a collision."

The Subaru had heavy damage to the driver's side rear door, the rear quarter panel, the wheel and tire, according to the police report. The Caravan sustained a broken bumper and headlight and hood damage.

Officers received a call of a possible DUI involving a male driver in a van traveling southbound on Highway 41 from the 41 Express gas station.

"The man appeared to be elusive and unstable and couldn't walk according to a witness," Beck said.

As officers responded, an injury accident was reported a few minutes later south of the gas station. Officers determined the driver of the crashed van was the same as from the previous DUI call.

Rupnick denied drinking, but admitted to taking Subutex, an opioid medication, the police report states.

In addition to the felony DUI, Rupnick was issued a citation for his third offense of driving without privileges.

An investigation continues.

This was the 13th time Rupnick has been booked into the Kootenai County jail in the past eight years. His previous charges included DUI, possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia, unlawfully possessing prescription drugs, probation violation and driving without privileges.