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Man charged with DUI after head-on crash

KAYE THORNBRUGH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 5 months AGO
by KAYE THORNBRUGH
Kaye Thornbrugh is a second-generation Kootenai County resident who has been with the Coeur d’Alene Press for six years. She primarily covers Kootenai County’s government, as well as law enforcement, the legal system and North Idaho College. | April 2, 2021 1:09 AM

POST FALLS — A man with multiple DUIs on his record is being held on $150,000 bail after a head-on crash that injured two people.

Roger A. Farrell, 74, of Kalispell, Mont., is charged with two counts of aggravated driving under the influence, both felonies. He is also charged with carrying a concealed weapon while under the influence, a misdemeanor.

Idaho State Police responded at 12:18 a.m. Wednesday to an injury crash on I-90 at milepost 5.

A Post Falls police officer reportedly saw a Dodge Ram traveling the wrong way on I-90 and unsuccessfully attempted to stop the vehicle.

The driver, identified as Farrell, allegedly continued west in the eastbound lanes, where he collided with a Kia Sportage.

A 61-year-old Coeur d’Alene passenger was ejected from the Kia, police said. She was not wearing a seat belt, police said.

Her injuries include a skull fracture, a spinal fracture and internal bleeding, prosecutors said. She was in fair condition Thursday afternoon.

The driver of the Kia was also transported to Kootenai Health with injuries.

Police arrested Farrell.

Judge James Stow ordered Thursday that Farrell be held on $150,000 bail.

Prosecutors said in court Thursday that Farrell had three DUI convictions between 1995 and 2010, as well as a reckless driving conviction in 2004.

In Idaho, aggravated DUI is punishable by a maximum of 15 years in prison.

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