Idaho State Police is investigating a vehicle collision that occurred on February 11th, 2023, at approximately 3:00 am at westbound US12 at milepost 155.5 in Idaho County.
The driver of a 1994 Kenworth, a KW Baker truck, was traveling westbound on US12 near mile marker 155.5, hauling garbanzo beans from Missoula, Montana to Lewiston, Idaho. According to the investigation and statements from the driver, a 66-year-old male from Lewiston, Idaho, he fell asleep and drove off the road on the eastbound shoulder. The vehicle traveled down a steep embankment and came to rest on the driver’s side of the vehicle, partially submerging the cab of the truck into the Lochsa River. The driver was not injured.
An estimated 50-gallons of diesel was spilled into the river and the load of garbanzo beans was displaced along the bank. Hazmat mitigation efforts have been taken and teams are attempting to clean up the spill. The incident remains under investigation by the Idaho State Police.
