KINGSTON –– Deputies with the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office responded to a unique and tragic incident last weekend after receiving a call about a vehicle versus animal accident.

According to SCSO Lieutenant Jared Bilaski, in the early hours of November 26, a drunk driver crashed his vehicle into two horses while traveling Coeur d’Alene River Road near milepost 14. 

Upon arrival, the deputy found that one of the horses was deceased, while the other was severely injured – The damaged vehicle was also still at the scene, but the driver was not. 

A witness told the deputy that the driver was a male who had a dog with him at which point the deputy realized that he had passed a man walking along the road with a dog as he was responding to the scene. 

The deputy quickly made contact with the subject he had seen and returned him to the scene of the accident. 

The driver was charged with driving under the influence, open container, and leaving the scene of an accident. Because the accident happened outside of the presence of the office, no arrest was made and the charges are all misdemeanors.

“These particular incidents are unique,” Bilaski told the News-Press. “Although very sad and unfortunate, the state of Idaho has designated itself as an open range state within Idaho Code. There are avenues the animal owners could take in order to potentially claim restitution due to criminal charges being associated with the investigation. The code covers areas outside the cities and classified as rural areas.”

The code that Bilaski cited is Idaho Code 25-2118, which reads, “No person owning, or controlling the possession of, any domestic animal running on open range, shall have the duty to keep such animal off any highway on such range, and shall not be liable for damage to any vehicle or for injury to any person riding therein, caused by a collision between the vehicle and the animal.” 

With North Idaho having a myriad of both domestic and wild animals inhabiting it, Shoshone County Sheriff Holly Lindsey released a statement following the accident. 

“Drunk driving poses a serious threat not only to human safety but also to wildlife and domestic animals,” She said. “Impaired drivers increase the risk of collisions with animals, leading to harm for both parties. Responsible and sober driving is crucial to protect not just ourselves, but the ecosystems we share with wildlife. Stay safe and make it home to enjoy the holiday season.”

The driver of the vehicle was transported to Shoshone Medical Center and treated for minor injuries. 

The status of the other horse in the accident is currently unknown.