Multi-lane crash stops I-90 traffic for three hours

A chain reaction of accidents on Interstate 90 clogged both lanes of traffic near Post Falls Monday, turning the afternoon commute into a slow-motion nightmare for travelers.

At approximately 3:12 p.m., Idaho State Police responded to a multiple-vehicle crash on westbound I-90 at Milepost 5 in Post Falls, according to a statement from ISP. A Silver 2004 Chevy Cavalier driven by Janell Martinez, 25, of Post Falls was traveling eastbound on I-90 near Milepost 3 when she lost control of her vehicle and left the south side of the roadway, striking a metal guardrail. Her vehicle came back into the eastbound lanes, crossed the center median and veered into the westbound lanes, where it was struck by a 2019 Subaru Impreza driven by Maria Simcina, 30, of Spokane Valley. Both vehicles came to rest on the north side of I-90.

An ISP spokesperson said debris from the crash struck a third vehicle, a Silver 2018 Chevy Cruze, driven by Westley Oglesbee, 29, of Post Falls, causing unknown property damage. Martinez and Simcina were transported by ambulance to Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene. All occupants of all vehicles were wearing seat belts, and alcohol was determined not to be a factor.

Eastbound traffic impediments were cleared soon after, but the westbound interstate was blocked for approximately three hours.