A Colorado woman faces three counts of vehicular manslaughter after Idaho State Police say her pickup truck crossed a double yellow centerline in a no-passing zone on U.S. Highway 12 east of Kooskia Tuesday afternoon, killing three motorcyclists in the collision.
The crash happened around 4 p.m. on June 16 near milepost 113, a stretch of the highway that winds through Idaho County along the Clearwater River corridor. According to investigators, a 2019 Ford F-150 traveling westbound crossed into the oncoming lane and struck three eastbound motorcycles head-on. All three riders died at the scene.
Driver Arrested, Taken to Hospital
The driver, a 60-year-old woman from Colorado Springs, Colorado, was taken to a local hospital for a medical evaluation following the crash. She was subsequently arrested and booked into the Idaho County Jail on probable cause. Idaho State Police confirmed she faces three counts of vehicular manslaughter as the investigation continues.
The Idaho County Coroner’s Office is working to formally identify the three deceased motorcyclists and will determine the official cause and manner of death for each victim. Their names had not been released as of the time this article was published.
Road Closed for Hours as Investigators Processed Scene
U.S. Highway 12 was shut down in the area for approximately six and a half hours while first responders and law enforcement processed the scene and gathered evidence. The extended closure affected travel along one of the primary east-west routes through north-central Idaho, a road popular with motorcyclists during summer months because of its scenic passage through the Clearwater River canyon.
Multiple agencies assisted Idaho State Police at the scene, including the Idaho County Sheriff’s Office, the Idaho County Coroner’s Office, the Idaho Transportation Department, and local fire and emergency medical services personnel. The coordinated response reflected the severity of a crash that claimed three lives and required extensive evidence documentation before the roadway could be reopened.
The crash remains under active investigation by Idaho State Police. No additional details about the identities of the motorcyclists or the precise circumstances leading up to the collision have been released. Anyone with information relevant to the investigation is encouraged to contact Idaho State Police.
Highway 12 near Kooskia is a well-traveled route for motorcycle enthusiasts heading into the Bitterroot Mountains and connecting to Montana. Law enforcement officials across Idaho have repeatedly emphasized the dangers of passing in restricted zones on two-lane highways, particularly in areas with limited sight lines.
For ongoing public safety and law enforcement coverage across the Lewis-Clark Valley, visit our report on a Lewiston woman jailed after a stolen vehicle was found during a Highway 95 pedestrian call.
What Comes Next
Idaho State Police will continue their investigation into the June 16 crash, and the Idaho County Coroner’s Office is expected to release the identities of the three victims once next-of-kin notifications are complete. Prosecutors in Idaho County will review the evidence before formal charges are filed against the Colorado Springs driver. Additional charges or modifications to the current probable-cause arrest could follow depending on findings from the ongoing inquiry.