Four locals injured in three vehicle crash
November 9, 2012
Four people, three from Naples, two of them children, and one from Bonners Ferry, were injured in a collision involving three vehicles at 9:30 a.m. today near milepost 497 on U.S. 95.

The accident had the highway closed until shortly after 1 p.m.

According to the Idaho State Police, Cassandra Spencer, 27, Naples, was traveling south in a 1995 Chevrolet pickup with two children as passengers when she drifted off the right shoulder, hitting an unoccupied 2000 Ford Expedition parked off the road.

The impact spun her into the northbound lane, where she struck a semi towing a flatbed trailer with a Cat driven by Beloit Mendenhall, 66, Bonners Ferry, head on.

Mendenhall was ejected as the semi veered off the west side of the highway, dislodging the Cat from the trailer.

Spencer was transported to Bonner General Hospital, Cason Spencer, 5, was transported to Boundary Community Hospital and flown a short time later to Sacred Heart Medical Center, where he underwent surgery for his injuries.

Jaycie Spencer, 3, was transported to Boundary Community Hospital, where she was treated and released; Mendenhall suffered cuts and bruises but did not require medical attention.

None of the occupants of either vehicle were wearing seatbelts.

In addition to the Idaho State Police, Boundary County Sheriffs deputies, Boundary Volunteer Ambulance, South Boundary Fire and the Idaho Transportation Department responded to the collision.