A collision between a loaded log truck and a passenger vehicle near Arrow Bridge on Friday morning left three people hospitalized and forced the closure of two major highways for more than two hours.
The crash occurred around 11 a.m. on U.S. Highway 12 approximately 15 miles east of Lewiston, according to Idaho State Police. A 66-year-old driver from Post Falls was operating a white Ford Focus eastbound when he made an illegal U-turn directly into the path of a westbound Western Star log truck driven by a 53-year-old man from Pierce.
The log truck driver swerved left of center to avoid a direct collision, but the Ford Focus struck the trailer tires. The impact caused the heavily loaded log truck to overturn into the westbound ditch, spilling its cargo of logs across the highway.
Emergency responders transported all three vehicle occupants to a hospital. In addition to the Ford driver, a 57-year-old passenger from Post Falls was treated for injuries sustained in the crash. All three were wearing seat belts at the time of impact. The log truck driver’s condition was not detailed in the initial report.
U.S. Highway 12 and Idaho Highway 3 were completely closed following the collision as crews worked to clear the roadway and investigate the scene. Traffic remained blocked for more than two hours. A single lane with alternating traffic control reopened at 1:40 p.m., allowing drivers to proceed through the area.
Idaho State Police cited the Ford Focus driver for reckless driving. The agency continues to investigate the circumstances of the crash.
Safety Concerns on Regional Corridors
The incident adds to a growing record of serious traffic collisions in the Lewis-Clark Valley region. In recent months, a pedestrian on Highway 95 near the casino in Lapwai was struck by a vehicle, drawing attention to the challenges drivers and pedestrians face on busy regional routes.
State police regularly remind drivers to obey traffic signals, avoid illegal turning maneuvers, and remain alert on highways where commercial traffic is common. Log trucks, fully loaded, require significant distance to maneuver safely and cannot stop quickly in emergencies.
What Comes Next
Idaho State Police will complete their investigation into Friday’s crash and file a final report documenting the cause and circumstances. The Ford Focus driver’s reckless driving citation may result in fines or other penalties depending on court proceedings. Both highways near Arrow Bridge have returned to normal operations following cleanup and damage assessment.