Fernwood woman injured in crash

A Fernwood woman was hospitalized with severe injuries after a single-vehicle crash over the weekend.

The crash occurred around 9:30 p.m. Sunday at Milepost 73 on State Highway 3 South, when a vehicle hit black ice and slid off the road, according to the Benewah County Sheriff’s Office. 

The driver, Rachel Rak, was transported to Kootenai Health with severe injuries, including two broken legs and a fractured spine. 

“It’s amazing she survived,” said Worley resident Maranda Larson, who is married to Rak’s ex and coparents Rak’s child. 

Larson started a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for Rak’s bills and other expenses while she recovers. She said Rak is a single mom who doesn’t have family nearby and will need support as she heals from her injuries. 

“She has a little boy that depends on her,” Larson said Monday.