Spirit Lake man charged with manslaughter after fatal crash

COEUR d’ALENE — A Spirit Lake man is facing a manslaughter charge after a fatal crash. 

Gage M. Benefield, 23, is charged with vehicular manslaughter, a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

The charges stem from May 2, when Idaho State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on State Highway 54 near milepost 1. 

ISP reported that Benefield was traveling eastbound around 11:40 p.m. when he failed to yield the right of way, began to make a left turn onto northbound Coeur d’Alene Drive and crashed into a motorcycle that was traveling westbound. 

The motorcyclist, a 61-year-old Spirit Lake woman, died at the scene from her injuries. She was wearing a helmet at the time of the collision, police said. 

Benefield was not injured in the crash, according to court records. 

At the scene, Benefield told police he had consumed alcoholic beverages at a party in Twin Lakes before the crash, according to court records. He allegedly told police that he “saw a bike” as he prepared to turn onto Coeur d’Alene Drive but “thought (he) could make it.” 

Benefield’s blood alcohol was .14 and .13, according to court records, based on two breath samples provided after the crash. In Idaho, a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher constitutes impairment. 

Police arrested Benefield at the scene. 

First District Judge Timothy Van Valin ordered that Benefield be held on $50,000 bail, which Benefield posted.