SL man dies in Friday crash

RATHDRUM — A 51-year-old Spirit Lake man was killed in a single-vehicle crash Friday reported at about 5:30 a.m. on Highway 53 near milepost 7 in Rathdrum, Idaho State Police officials said.

According to ISP, the preliminary investigation indicates a 2002 Peterbilt work truck driven by a 51-year-old male from Spirit Lake was traveling westbound on SH 53, failed to maintain the lane of travel, crossed the eastbound lane, ran off the roadway and crashed into a tree on the eastbound roadside, overturned, and caught fire.

The driver and sole occupant of the Peterbilt appeared to have been wearing their seatbelt at the time of the crash and succumbed to injuries at the scene. Next of kin has been notified.

Traffic on SH 53 was completely blocked while emergency responders processed the scene. After approximately two hours and forty minutes, the westbound lane was reopened to allow for alternating traffic during the recovery of the Peterbilt.

The incident remains under investigation by the Idaho State Police.