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Fatal Stateline Crash Clogs Interstate Traffic

Fatal Stateline Crash Clogs Interstate Traffic

(Updated 8:19 a.m.) - A Post Falls man was killed in a three-car crash that caused major traffic delays along Interstate 90 on Monday night at Stateline.

Walter Winward, 59, was driving eastbound on I-90 when he lost control of his car, crossed the median and went into the westbound lanes, where he collided with a pickup truck. Winward was transported to Kootenai Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

The driver of the pickup, Larry Hartley, 59, of Spokane Valley, was also taken to KMC with injuries. Another vehicle driver, Dana Wentling, 35, was also hit by Winward, but he was not injured.

Idaho State Patrol says the westbound lanes were completely blocked for about four hours, while they investigated the accident. The eastbound lanes were blocked for a short time as well.

All lanes of the interstate reopened to traffic around 10:12 p.m. 

Sheriff's Office Reports 125 Collisions on Saturday

Saturday's snowstorm accounted for 125 reported collisions in Spokane County between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. The Sheriff's Office says the snowstorm caused challenging driving conditions, but says there were no serious injury collisions to report.

The Sheriff's Office and Spokane Valley Police spent the majority of their day responding to these collisions across the county.

Bigelow Gulch was the only road that had to be shut down due to conditions. The road was closed from Argonne to Forker from Noon until about 2 p.m.

Five Vehicle Crash Sends Two To Hospital

A domino effect of collisions affected five cars on Saturday morning during the snow storm that produced low visibility on Highway 195 near Colton.

A Pullman School District school bus was stopped in the southbound lane, just south of Johnson Road. Three more vehicles were stacked behind the school bus, also stopped.

A Spokane Valley driver, Sydney Bebee, 44, came in from behind, smashing into one vehicle, pushing it across the northbound lanes and then into the ditch. Bebee then struck another vehicle and then another, pushing it into the school bus. Bebee's truck finally came to a rest against one of the vehicles already in the ditch.

WSP says the 12 students and teacher were not injured during the incident. The driver and passenger of one vehicle, Frances M. Bakke, 35, of Kennewick, and Nathan Bakke, 35, of Kennwick as well, were injured during the crash and transported to Pullman Hospital in an ambulance.

Bebee's truck was total and towed during the incident. She was cited for driving too fast for conditioned.

Get Your Cycle On

Get Your Cycle On

Looking for a new ride while you coast the Centennial Trail? Check out the 1st Annual Spokane Bike Swap. You can sell your bike, upgrade it, or buy a new one.

The event is a collaboration between the Spokane Bike Swap team and the Friends of the Centennial Trail. It's part of an effort to enhance the biking community in Spokane.

The event is March 24th and 25th at the Spokane County Fair & Expo Center. It's $5 per person. Kids 12 and under get in free.

Go to SpokaneBikeSwap.com to learn more.

 

Weight Restrictions Begin Monday On Some County Roads

Seasonal weight restrictions are being placed on some Spokane County roads starting next Monday. The restrictions limit the size and weight of vehicles that can travel on those specific roads.

The restrictions are being put into place to reduce roadway damage and infrastructure before the spring.

The Sheriff's Office says they're going to allow a two-day education period to the public before they begin enforcing the new regulations on Wednesday, February 15th. After that, all violations become a $411 fine.

Online Document: What roads have weight restrictions in Spokane County? The county has an online map that shows the locations.

Spokane Valley Camaro drives with Christmas cheer

Spokane Valley Camaro drives with Christmas cheer

Deck the car with reindeers and duct tape. Nicholas Spragg, Spokane Valley resident, has made his 2002 Camaro into a mobile Christmas decoration. He emailed us to say he started decorating his car for Halloween and then Thanksgiving. Why not Christmas?

Spragg write, "The car is covered with duct tape and currently has over 26 decorations made completely out of duct tape."

Curious minds want to know how Spragg will decorate his car for National Fruitcake Day.

Share: Have a great photo you want to send KXLY? Email: nicoleh@kxly.com.

Construction scheduled in January for Sullivan Road Bridge

The Sullivan/Indiana intersection just re-opened after a few months of construction to improve the section leading up to the sixty-year-old Sullivan Bridge, but now the bridge will be going under the knife for improvements. Don't worry - it's only temporary.

In early January, the City of Spokane Valley authorized $358,000 for construction that will allow for increased bridge weight in late February. City council is concerned that decreased weight limits will impact local businesses.

Traffic will be shifted onto the northbound bridge and reduced to one lane in each direction.

Replacing the bridge completely is anticipated for the future. $19.7 million is needed, but they only have half from federal and state sources.