SANDPOINT — Washington Elementary is increasing safety measures after a driver drove through two closed crossing gates Thursday morning. 

No injuries were reported, though children in the playground area watched the scene, and Washington Elementary families were notified of the incident, according to Lake Pend Orielle School District officials. 

Police identified the suspect, who faces two misdemeanor charges, one for reckless driving and another for a hit-and-run, according to Sandpoint Police Sgt. Skylar Ziegler. 

The gates close during school hours to block a portion of the road so students can cross between the school and the playground. The space between the gates was used as an area for students to play four-square during recess. 

However, students will no longer be using the space to play during recess, said Washington Elementary Principal Natassia Hamer. 

The school took immediate precautions, adding parked cars in front of both fences to serve as extra temporary barriers before Type 3 barriers were installed — reflective traffic control devices used to increase visibility and act as an additional impediment for oncoming vehicles.

District leadership and Washington Elementary's building safety team are discussing what changes are necessary to the crossing area to prevent future incidents, including changes to the gate design and painting the fences in a bright color. 

LPOSD is also working with the city to explore improved methods of restricting vehicle access to the road crossing area during school hours, according to a district press release. 

The school's current safety measures include additional traffic cones that serve to alert drivers turning onto the street. 

Hamer said many community members are aware that the road closes during school hours, with drivers knowing not to enter during that time. 

"It's just the uniqueness of a neighborhood school, and we truly are a neighborhood school," said Hamer. 

Sandpoint Police Chief Corey Coon said the incident was unprecedented, noting the gates have been in place for as long as he can remember. 

"This is the first time where someone's actually driven through two barricades," said Coon. 

Moving forward, all students will be playing in the playground area, said Hamer. 

"It actually works out fairly well," said Hamer. "We're fundraising for new basketball courts, so when we revamp the new basketball courts, we'll just have to figure out how to get four square into the fence area." 

With input from parents and staff, Hamer said she is confident the community will come up with an effective solution. 

"It's just going to be a real group effort," said Hamer. 

For now, Hamer said she would gladly give students chalk to draw their own four- square boxes on the basketball court for those who want to play the game during recess. 

"We recognize how concerning an incident like this is for our students, staff, families, and community. We are incredibly thankful that no one was injured and for the immediate response of law enforcement," said LPOSD Superintendent Dr. Becky Meyer. "Our focus now is on carefully reviewing the safety measures in place and identifying improvements that will help protect our students and staff moving forward."