Tense moments on I-90
Brian Walker | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 11 years AGO
Disaster was averted this morning on eastbound Interstate 90 from the state line to just east of the Huetter rest stop while a man went into diabetic shock and swerved on the freeway throughout the ordeal.
An off-duty Spokane County deputy spotted the Spokane driver swerving near the state line and followed the GMC Jimmy, said Post Falls police Sgt. Dave Marshall.
The driver struck a concrete barrier around 9:35 a.m. near the state line and continued to drive eastbound.
A Post Falls officer followed suit and, not knowing the situation, activated the overhead lights at milepost 6 at Post Falls.
The driver continued to drive about 50 mph, swerving, and pulled over just east of the rest stop.
Police initially treated the incident as a felony DUI case and temporarily placed the man, described as being in his 50s, in handcuffs.
As soon as police realized the man had been having a medical episode and cooperated, they immediately took the handcuffs off, Marshall said.
"He said he was on his way to Jack in the Box for breakfast and the last thing he remembers was hitting a jersey barrier," Marshall said. "He doesn't remember anything after that."
Kootenai County Fire and Rescue arrived to treat the man.
The front driver's side tire of the GMC was destroyed during the incident. No other crashes occurred.
Idaho State Police and the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office also responded.
Eastbound freeway traffic was initially stopped during the investigation before the passing lane opened.
MORE IMPORTED STORIES
Male motorcycle driver dies while fleeing from police
Coeur d'Alene Press | Updated 7 years, 6 months ago
ARTICLES BY BRIAN WALKER

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
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.
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.