One dead, two injured in Bonner County crash

January 21, 2012

A photo taken by Krissy King, Bonners Ferry, at the scene of a multi-vehicle accident on U.S. 95 near Cocolalla this morning. An Oregon truck driver was killed and two people injured, one critically, in a multi-vehicle collision at about 8:40 a.m. today near milepost 459 on U.S. 95, near Cocolalla Creek. One of those involved in the collision was Brian Fendos, 39, Bonners Ferry, who was not injured. The collision closed U.S. 95 nearly all day, at the time of this writing, 6:50 p.m., it is estimated that the roadway should be cleared and traffic restored within an hour or two. According to the Idaho State Police, Zachary B. Henager, age not given, Temple, Texas, was driving a 1994 Mazda coupe south when he lost control, went left of center and struck a 2012 Mack truck towing an empty flatbed trailer, driven by Richard D. Walston, 58, Colville, Washington, head-on. The impact sent Henager's vehicle into the southbound ditch and sent Walston's semi into the southbound lane, where it struck a 2006 Freightliner towing a flatbed loaded with peat moss, driven by James M. Mady, 49, Creswell, Oregon, head-on. Mady's truck flipped onto its side, blocking all southbound lanes and the northbound passing lane. Walston's semi went into the southbound ditch. Mady was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Fendos, driving a 2004 Peterbilt towing an empty gasoline tanker, was in the southboud lane when Henager initially lost control, and taking evasive action, he ran his rig off the southbound shoulder, striking a northbound 2005 Volvo tractor pulling a livestock trailer, driven by Pavlo P. Shevchuk, 21, Manitoba, Canada, who then went off into the northbound ditch. Roger C. House, 45, Post Falls, was driving a 1991 Isuzu Trooper north, swerved to miss Shevchuk, going off into the northbound ditch himself. A Medstar medical evacuation helicopter was summoned to the accident scene, where the crew picked up Henager for the flight to Kootenai Medical Center, where he is listed in critical condition. Walston was transported by ambulance to Bonner General Hospital, Sandpoint, and later flown by Medstar to Sacred Heart Hospital, Spokane. His condition is unknown. ISP Corporal Alan Ashby, who is investigating the accident, is seeking to contact the female driver of a sports utility vehicle that was traveling south near the accident scene, and who may have been behind Henager and who may have witnessed the crash. Ashby can be reaced at (208) 209-8620.