Adult dies in ATV accident, another injured

An adult died in an ATV accident Saturday night.

The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office reported Sunday that it received a report of an ATV crash with severe injuries about 9:30 p.m. near the Horsehaven Airstrip in the Coeur d’Alene National Forest east of Coeur d’Alene.

KCSO deputies, along with Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, found the crash site on Forest Service Road 209, a press release said.

Deputies determined the ATV driver failed to negotiate a turn and went over a cliff, the release said. 

The adult driver was pronounced deceased at the scene. An adult passenger was found with severe injuries. 

Life Flight initially responded but was unable to land due to excessive dust created by the helicopter’s rotors in the extremely dry conditions. Once KCFR was able to water down the landing zone, Life Flight safely transported the passenger to Kootenai Health, where they remain in serious condition, the release said.

Alcohol and illegal drugs are believed to have been contributing factors in the crash, according to the release. 

The identities of the victims are being withheld at this time.