A two-vehicle crash on U.S. 12 in Nez Perce County sent two Post Falls residents to the hospital and blocked traffic for more than two hours on Wednesday morning. The incident occurred around 11 a.m. at milepost 15, near the Highway 3 junction, when a Ford Focus made an illegal U-turn into the path of a loaded Western Star log truck.
The log truck driver, a 53-year-old man from Pierce, swerved left of center to avoid the collision. The Focus struck the truck’s trailer tires before the log truck overturned, coming to rest in the westbound ditch with its load blocking both directions of traffic.
Injuries and Response
The Ford Focus driver, a 66-year-old Post Falls man, and his 57-year-old female passenger were both transported to the hospital via ground ambulance. All three occupants—the truck driver, Focus driver, and passenger—were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. The extent of their injuries was not immediately disclosed.
Investigation and Citations
Idaho State Police responded to the scene and are investigating the incident. The Ford Focus driver was cited for reckless driving. Traffic on U.S. 12 and Highway 3 remained blocked for approximately two and a half hours while emergency crews worked the scene and removed the overturned log truck.
The crash underscores the dangers of illegal turning maneuvers on busy highways in the Panhandle. Motorists traveling U.S. 12 through Nez Perce County and connecting routes should exercise caution and follow traffic laws to prevent similar collisions.
Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact Idaho State Police.