Two Truck Drivers Injured in Highway 53 Collision Near Rathdrum, Idaho
A two-vehicle injury crash on Highway 53 near Rathdrum, Idaho sent both drivers to a local hospital on April 20, 2026, after a FedEx delivery truck and a Kenworth semi-truck collided in the early afternoon. The Idaho State Police confirmed the accident occurred near mile marker 12, east of Rathdrum, at approximately 1:44 PM. The crash temporarily blocked the roadway before crews were able to reopen the highway.
What Happened on Highway 53
According to the Idaho State Police news release, a FedEx delivery truck — registered out of Washington state — was traveling eastbound on Highway 53 when its driver made a left turn directly into the path of an oncoming Kenworth truck and trailer. The Kenworth was traveling westbound on the same stretch of highway when the collision occurred.
The driver of the FedEx truck was identified as a 33-year-old male from Spokane, Washington. The driver of the Kenworth semi-truck was a 40-year-old male from Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Both men sustained injuries in the crash and were transported to a local hospital. The severity of their injuries was not specified in the ISP news release.
The stretch of Highway 53 where the crash occurred sits between the city of Rathdrum and the Highway 53 interchange with Highway 95, north of Coeur d’Alene — a corridor that sees regular commercial truck traffic moving through North Idaho and into neighboring states.
Emergency Response Near Rathdrum
Multiple agencies responded to the scene following the collision. The Idaho State Police and the Idaho Transportation Department were both dispatched to the area. Northern Lakes Fire also responded to assist at the crash site. ISP is leading the investigation into the cause of the accident.
At the time the Idaho State Police issued its news release, the roadway was still blocked. However, according to Idaho 511, Highway 53 has since been reopened to traffic. Motorists in the Rathdrum and Post Falls area were advised to monitor Idaho 511 for updated road conditions during the closure.
Commercial Truck Safety on North Idaho Highways
The crash comes as the Idaho Transportation Department was also actively promoting work zone safety awareness during the same week, reminding drivers to remain alert and focused when traveling through construction areas on Idaho highways. Commercial truck traffic is a common presence on the roadways of Kootenai County and the surrounding Panhandle region, with Highway 53 and nearby Highway 95 serving as key north-south and east-west corridors for freight movement.
North Idaho has seen a troubling number of serious highway accidents involving large commercial vehicles in recent years. Idaho recorded 24 fatal semi-truck accidents in 2024 alone, underscoring the continued risks posed by heavy vehicle collisions on state highways. Intersections and left-turn movements on rural and semi-rural stretches of highway have historically been among the most dangerous scenarios for drivers sharing the road with large commercial trucks.
Public safety remains a priority across Kootenai County’s emergency response network. Readers interested in local emergency response leadership may recall that Jon Fugitt recently accepted the position of new Coeur d’Alene Fire Chief, bringing fresh leadership to one of the region’s busiest fire and emergency services departments.
What Comes Next
The Idaho State Police continues to investigate the April 20 crash on Highway 53. No charges or citations have been publicly announced at this time. Both injured drivers remain identified only by age and city of residence, and ISP has not yet released further updates on their conditions.
Drivers traveling Highway 53 east of Rathdrum and through the broader Kootenai County highway network are encouraged to exercise caution at intersections, particularly when sharing the road with commercial vehicles. Up-to-date road conditions, closures, and incident information are available through Idaho 511 online and by phone. Additional statewide traffic and public safety coverage can be found at Idaho News.