Tuesday, July 15, 2025
62.0°F

Horseback rider in ICU after alleged hit and run

Brian Walker | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 13 years, 11 months AGO
by Brian Walker
| August 17, 2011 7:22 AM

A 20-year-old Post Falls woman is in intensive care at Kootenai Medical Center this morning after she was riding horseback on Garwood Road north of Hayden Tuesday night and was allegedly struck by a truck heading in the same direction.

Lauren Johnson suffered a fractured skull and collar bone, said Becca Lobato, a friend who was riding alongside Johnson.

Lobato said Johnson was temporarily unconscious and doesn't remember the accident that occurred between 5 and 10 miles east of U.S. 95. at about 8:30 p.m.

"The horse did a somersault from what I saw, and Lauren was face down on the (paved) road," Lobato said, adding that Johnson and the horse were sideswiped.

Blondie, the buckskin quarterhorse Johnson was riding, sustained multiple wounds.

Lobato described the truck as black or dark gray, large and possibly with racks on top.

"I only saw the truck for a split second because my horse jumped," Lobato said. "They had to have known they hit them because it's a 1,200-pound horse."

Lobato estimates the truck was traveling at least 60 mph in the 40-mph zone. She hopes someone traveling in the opposite direction saw the truck.

"The truck came up on us so fast," Lobato said.

MORE IMPORTED STORIES

Horseback rider in ICU after hit and run
Coeur d'Alene Press | Updated 13 years, 11 months ago
'Upside down' - but OK
Coeur d'Alene Press | Updated 13 years, 9 months ago
Horse rider struck by truck improves; driver sought
Coeur d'Alene Press | Updated 13 years, 10 months ago

ARTICLES BY BRIAN WALKER

Two arrests made in heroin trafficking case
November 27, 2018 5:56 p.m.

Two arrests made in heroin trafficking case

POST FALLS — Two Shoshone County men were arrested in a heroin trafficking case during a traffic stop on Interstate 90 at Post Falls last week.

Ingraham charged with first-degree murder
January 15, 2016 2 a.m.

Ingraham charged with first-degree murder

The 20-year-old nephew of a Post Falls man found dead in Boundary County in September has been charged with first-degree murder of his uncle.

January 20, 2013 6 a.m.

Is arming teachers a good idea or over-reaction?

No movement in region to go that route to enhance school safety

While the idea of arming teachers, as a means to increase school safety, is catching on in some areas, there’s no such momentum in Kootenai County.