Posted: Apr 21, 2005  14:20

On April 18, at approximately 10:45 p.m., the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office responded to a one-vehicle injury accident at Milepost 4 on Thompson Creek Road, just west of Murray, ID.

According to the report, the vehicle left the roadway at a high rate of speed and collided with a large tree. Authorities did not find any indication that the driver attempted to stop or correct his direction before the accident.

Michael Joseph Winker, 67, of Coeur d’Alene, ID, lost his life in the crash. According to witnesses at the scene, Winker had attended a wedding in the Murray area. Based on the initial investigation, speed and alcohol contributed to the accident.

While involved in traffic control at the scene of the accident, authorities arrested a passing motorist for driving while intoxicated. His blood alcohol was twice the legal limit.

Based on the last few years, it is apparent that more fatalities are occurring on the Coeur d’Alene River Road and the Thompson Pass Road than all other areas in Shoshone County, including Interstate 90. This issue becomes much more important when drivers die because of speeding and driving while intoxicated.

Shoshone County Sheriff Chuck Reynalds will be posting additional deputies through out this area. These deputies will enforce all laws with particular attention to impaired driving and speeding. Sheriff Reynalds wants everyone to enjoy the outdoors and the river area, but warns that a zero tolerance policy is in effect.