Three Vehicle Crash On State Hwy 3 and Thorn Creek RD

What this means

Idaho State Police said an 86-year-old Fernwood man died after a three-vehicle collision at State Highway 3 and Sportsman Road in Benewah County at about 4:48 p.m. on October 2, 2026. According to the preliminary investigation, his Honda Ridgeline moved into the southbound lane around a stopped Ram pickup and collided head-on with a southbound Kenworth semi before being pushed into the pickup; the roadway was closed for about three and a half hours, and the crash remains under investigation.

Official release

Source material from Idaho State Police. The wording below is the issuer’s statement.

October 3, 2026

BENEWAH COUNTY, Idaho – On 10/02/26, the Idaho State Police along with the Benewah County Sheriff’s Office and the St. Maries Police Department investigated a three-vehicle fatality collision that occurred at approximately 4:48 pm at the Intersection of State Highway 3 and Sportsman Road.

Preliminary investigation revealed a silver 2018 Ram pickup driven by a 57-year-old male from St. Maries, ID was stopped in the northbound lane with the intention to turn west onto Sportsman Road. An 86-year-old male from Fernwood, ID, driving a 2022 Honda Ridgeline was traveling northbound behind the Ram pickup and entered the southbound lane around the Ram pickup. While doing so, the Honda Ridgeline collided head-on with a southbound 2026 Kenworth semi-truck driven by a 48-year-old male from Deary, ID. This initial collision subsequently pushed the Honda Ridgeline into the Ram pickup. The driver of the Honda Ridgeline succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Next of kin has been notified.

The driver of the Honda Ridgeline and the Ram pickup were both wearing their seatbelts; it is unknown if the driver of the semi-truck was wearing his.

The roadway was closed for approximately 3.5 hours. Law enforcement investigators were assisted by the Idaho Transportation Department, the Benewah County Coroner’s Office, Benewah County EMS, and the St. Maries Fire Protection District.

This crash remains under investigation by the Idaho State Police.

3778 // 4410

Posted in District 1 - Northern Idaho

Please direct questions to:

District 1

Northern Idaho

615 W. Wilbur Ave.

Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815

Phone: (208) 209-8620

Fax: (208) 209-8619

Serving Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai, and Shoshone Counties.

Release text attributed to Idaho State Police. Consult the official publication for any subsequent corrections or updates.