multiple medical helicopters
According to information from ISP, at approximately 11:00 a.m. yesterday, a 14 year old minor student was driving southbound in a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu, apparently the local area Driver's Education vehicle. The student was apparently driving the car as part of student driver training. Passengers in the car included another 14 year old student, along with Travis Hinthorn, Driver's Education instructor.
The second vehicle, which was northbound, was a 2002 Toyota pickup, driven by Garrett Graupner of Bonners Ferry, who had with him a nine year old passenger.
According to the Idaho State Police, the two vehicles collided in a head on crash. As the crash and its cause are still under investigation, no further details on how it occurred are available from the State Police at this time.
Both Graupner and his nine year old passenger were flown by medical evacuation helicopter to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane. The 14 year old passenger in the Driver's Education vehicle was also flown to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center.
The 14 year old driver of the Driver's Education car and his instructor, Mr. Hinthorn, were taken to Boundary Community Hospital for evaluation of their injuries. Mr. Hinthorn was later transferred to Kootenai Health in Coeur d'Alene for further treatment.
According to a posting on the Facebook page of Mr. Hinthorn's wife, Kelly, he suffered multiple fractures of bones, and required surgery for an elbow fracture. She is anticipating he will be hospitalized at Kootenai Health for a few days.
The public Facebook page of the local Mountain Springs Church in Bonners Ferry, with which Mr. Graupner is affiliated, is reporting that he suffered broken bones, required surgery, and "is stable and in good spirit."
That Facebook page is also stating that the nine year old child in the Graupner vehicle, Mr. Graupner's son, is stable.
Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane has stated to us that the condition of Mr. Graupner is stable. They cannot provide any information on the minors who were flown there for treatment.
