Thursday, January 23, 2025
7.0°F

ISP seeks help in fatal collision case

CAROLINE LOBSINGER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 3 months AGO
by CAROLINE LOBSINGER
I grew up in the Tri-Cities, Wash., and have always loved to write. I attended the University of Washington, where I earned a double major in journalism and political science, with an area of emphasis in history. I am the fifth out of six kids — don't believe any of the stories that my siblings tell. To be able to tell others stories and take photos for a living is a dream come true — and I considered myself blessed to be a community journalist. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, hiking and spending time outdoors, genealogy, reading, and watching the UW Huskies and the Seattle Seahawks. I am a servant to my cat, Frankie, who yes, will eat anything and everything in sight … even wedding cookies. | October 15, 2022 1:00 AM

OLDTOWN — Idaho State Police are asking the public for help in connection to a fatal hit-and-run collision in Oldtown last week.

Dakota James LaFountain, 23, of Newport, Wash., was charged Oct. 12 with second-degree murder, two counts of aggravated battery, and a count of leaving the scene of an accident in which a 3-year-old girl, critically injuring her 2-year-old brother and seriously injuring her grandmother.

ISP investigators are seeking information in connection with Oct. 7 collision in the area of Seventh Street and Meadowdale Avenue in Oldtown.

Investigators said they are seeking contact from anyone with information, or who may have seen or had contact with Dakota J. LaFountain or his vehicle, on the date of the incident.

"If you believe you may have seen this individual and/or vehicle in your area, please contact the Idaho State Police," ISP officials said in a press release. "Investigators are interested in any home security camera or doorbell camera footage that may have captured his movements either on foot or in his vehicle in the area before and after the crash event."

They asked area residents and business owners residing within the marked red map area (see photo) to please review and save any footage they have from the afternoon of October 7th and notify the Idaho State Police at with any information that may have been captured regarding this individual.

Anyone driving through the marked yellow map area (see photo) who is able to review or recover video captured at any time on the afternoon of Oct. 7 is encouraged to contact the agency.

Idaho State Police contend LaFountain was behind the wheel of a Chevy Tahoe which struck the three pedestrians walking on a dirt pathway along E. Valley Street South in Oldtown just before 5 p.m. on Oct. 7.

ISP said the vehicle overturned and came to a rest on the side of the road in a residential lawn. The driver fled the scene on foot but was located after a short time later and taken to a nearby hospital via ground ambulance.

The 3-year-old died at the scene, the 2-year-old was flown by medical helicopter to a Spokane hospital in critical condition. According to a GoFundMe page set up for the family, the youth is now stable but suffered numerous injuries including eight broken ribs, a broken jaw, a spinal fracture, liver lacerations and bruised lungs.

The third pedestrian, Jaime Patton, the grandmother of the two youths, was transported to a nearby hospital in serious condition but has since been released.

Combined, the four charges total a 45-year sentence if LaFountain is convicted on all counts.

Investigators can be reached at 208-209-8686.

MORE FRONT-PAGE-SLIDER STORIES

ISP seeking information, witnesses in fatal collision
Bonner County Daily Bee | Updated 2 years, 3 months ago
Newport man charged with second-degree murder
Bonner County Daily Bee | Updated 2 years, 3 months ago
Deputy cleared of charges in pedestrian collision
Coeur d'Alene Press | Updated 8 years ago

ARTICLES BY CAROLINE LOBSINGER

County OKs library boundary changes
January 21, 2025 1 a.m.

County OKs library boundary changes

A boundary line adjustment between the county's two library districts was formally approved by Bonner County commissioners at a meeting last week to approve the issue. The proposal realigns the boundary line between the East Bonner County and West Bonner library districts to match those of the Lake Pend Oreille and West Bounty County school districts. While the measure was unanimously approved by the two library districts on Aug. 20, 2024, that decision needed to be codified by the commissioners. The Board of County Commissioners approved the measure in a unanimous 3-0 vote.

IPUC approves Stoneridge water rate increase
January 19, 2025 1 a.m.

IPUC approves Stoneridge water rate increase

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission recently announced that it would allow a northern Idaho water utility to increase the rates it charges customers to provide water service. While CDS Stoneridge Utilities initially asked for a rate increase that averaged 261 percent, the commission approved a general rate increase of 18.6 percent. The utility serves approximately 384 residential and commercial customers in the Blanchard area.

WBCSD elects board leaders
January 18, 2025 1 a.m.

WBCSD elects board leaders

West Bonner County School District's new board chair and vice chair are familiar faces in new roles after trustees voted to install Ann Yount in the top post and Margaret Hall as vice chair. Hall was previously the chair and Yount was the vice chair of the board prior to the vote at Wednesday's annual meeting.