By BRIAN WALKER

Staff Writer

HAYDEN — Relatives of the man who died inside a vehicle that entered Hayden Lake at the Honeysuckle Boat Launch early Saturday hope Hayden makes more safety improvements to prevent similar tragedies.

Christopher Lancaster, 34, Spokane Valley, believed to be the driver, was pronounced dead at Kootenai Health after the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call around 2:30 a.m.

"Investigators believe alcohol intoxication was likely a factor and are expecting the final autopsy reports, including a toxicology screen, in four to six weeks," a KCSO press release states, adding that the autopsy was performed on Tuesday.

The other occupant, Andrea Berkey, 25, Post Falls, a friend of Lancaster’s who was found holding onto the dock but still in the water, was treated and released from the hospital for cold water injuries.

Dustin Lancaster, Christopher’s brother who lives in Post Falls, said that regardless of what the toxicology results show, he hopes the city of Hayden will consider placing a barrier at the launch at night to prevent vehicles from entering the water in the future.

"We believe a gate would do a lot," Dustin said.

Brett Boyer, Hayden’s city administrator, said fishermen access the lake during early-morning hours and other launches remain open throughout the night and early morning.

He said the city made improvements several years ago at the Honeysuckle launch to deter drivers from entering the water, including adding islands and additional signage, after a series of incidents.

"We reconfigured that whole area so you no longer have a straight shot to the water," Boyer said.

"The city of Hayden offers its condolences to the family of Christopher Lancaster. The city has spent around $150,000 in improvements in years past to make it very difficult to drive directly into the boat launch area.

"We have redirected the road through the approach area and added islands and berms to go around. We appreciate that the Sheriff’s Office investigation is still in process and we’ll look at the results of the investigation once they are available to see if any other improvements need consideration. The idea is to try to avoid accidental (crashes)."

The road features aimed at cautioning drivers of a lake ahead along Honeysuckle Avenue leading up to the launch include, in order:

- a yellow No Outlet sign at the intersection of East Hayden Lake Road about a half mile away;

- a brown Honeysuckle Beach sign;

- two islands that temporarily force traffic to swerve right;

- a yellow Road Ends sign above a white boat ramp sign;

- a stop sign;

- red and white Do Not Enter signs on both sides of the road; and

- another yellow Road Ends sign above a white boat ramp sign near the water.

There are also speed signs along the way, slowing traffic from 25 mph to 15 mph.

"The Honeysuckle Boat Launch is very well-marked," said KCSO Detective Dennis Stinebaugh.

But Dustin Lancaster said he believes a barrier should be installed, especially considering nighttime driving that can also be affected by the weather.

"To me, driving around the islands is nothing more than driving down the road still, nothing different than the roundabout at Fourth and Hanley," he said. "All it does is slow the vehicle down."

Dustin said Berkey told family members that the two were visiting and about all she remembered was the vehicle going into the lake and water rising inside the vehicle.

"When she got out, she thought that Chris would be right behind," said Christopher’s uncle, Randy Lancaster.

According to 911 call logs, the city has surveillance video of the incident. Neither city officials nor the KCSO would comment on the content of the video, citing the ongoing investigation.

According to the KCSO, there have been two vehicle crashes into the water at the Honeysuckle Boat Launch in the past 12 years, with one being a fatality. Both occurred in 2011 and alcohol intoxication was determined to be the primary cause of both.

A series of incidents, including a double-fatality in early 2006, led to the city’s improvements in 2007.

"For such a little town, there have been way too many similar fatalities at Honeysuckle Beach," Randy Lancaster said.

Dustin Lancaster said his family plans to discuss ideas for future improvements with the city.

"If we can prevent another tragic death, it’s worth it," he said.

Randy said Christopher, who graduated from Post Falls High School in 2001, enjoyed spending time with his two boys and was celebrating a new job he was going to start this week as an information technology technician.

"He had so many friends, and the support of the community during this time has been amazing," Randy said, adding that Christopher’s parents, Mike and Evelyn Lancaster, work for the Post Falls School District.

Services for Christopher will be on Saturday, Jan. 27, at 11 a.m. at His Place Evangelical Free Church, 3079 E. 16th Ave., Post Falls.