Fatal motorcycle crash victim identified

COEUR d’ALENE — The driver of a stolen motorcycle who died in a crash Tuesday while attempting to flee police on Interstate 90 has been identified as Blaze Eugene Smith, 46, of Spokane.

The wreck occurred when an Idaho State Police trooper attempted to stop Smith on the interstate and he pulled into the eastbound Huetter rest area, according to ISP. When the trooper tried to make contact with Smith, he reportedly attempted to flee and re-enter I-90 when he crashed.

Smith was wanted in Washington on suspicion of escaping from community custody, a felony, according to the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, the agency handling the investigation of the crash.

Sheriff’s Office detectives confirmed the motorcycle Smith was operating was listed as stolen out of Spokane County.