Update: Sheriff's Office releases name of fatal crash victim and driver

An individual died early Monday morning after being transported to Kootenai Health from the scene of a motor vehicle crash on the shore of Fernan Lake.

Sheriff’s office deputies and Kootenai County Fire and Rescue were dispatched to the scene, along Fernan Lake Road, around 4:30 a.m., for the report of a possible drowning.

When deputies arrived, they located a 1997 Ford Ranger that had apparently driven off the road and down the embankmen, coming to rest just above the water line. The vehicle did not enter the water, however the initial information reported was that the passenger had been located in the water and pulled from the water by the driver and another subject who had responded to the location.

Medical aid was rendered and the passenger was transported via ambulance to Kootenai Health where he was later pronounced deceased.

According to a press release from the sheriff’s office, alcohol appears to be a contributing factor in the incident and the investigation is still underway to determine how the passenger ended up in the water. The names of the occupants are not being released at this time pending further investigation.