In brief: One killed, two injured in wrong-way I-90 crash

A woman died Thursday night and two Post Falls residents were sent to the hospital after a wrong-way collision on Interstate 90 three miles west of Ritzville.

The woman, whose identity has not been released, was driving eastbound in the westbound lanes of the freeway when her 1995 Toyota Corolla smashed head-on into a 2004 GMC Envoy driven by Joshua McIntosh, 22, of Post Falls. The Corolla burst into flames, and the woman was killed at the scene, the Washington State Patrol said.

McIntosh and a passenger, Jessica Starr, 22, of Post Falls, both were injured. They were transported by helicopter to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane. Friday morning they were in satisfactory condition, a hospital spokeswoman said.

The accident happened shortly after 8:30 p.m. Thursday at milepost 216.

Staff reports

Mentally ill woman gets prison for uncle’s death

ST. MARIES – A mentally ill woman who shot and beat her uncle last year and burned his body in a fire pit has been sentenced to 30 years to life for his murder.

Melisa R. Bates was sentenced Thursday by 5th District Court Judge Fred Gibler.

Last month, following court-ordered mediation, the 28-year-old Bates entered an Alford plea to second-degree murder in the May 15, 2011, death of 43-year-old Robert R. Marek, of St. Maries. In an Alford plea, the defendant doesn’t admit guilt but acknowledges prosecutors have enough evidence to gain a conviction.

Gibler cited a recent mental-health evaluation of Bates, which “strongly recommended” that she be held in a secure facility because she poses a significant risk to the community.

Defense attorney Will Butler said Bates’ mental illness began showing up in her early teen years.

Associated Press

Both drivers killed in crash south of CdA

Two drivers died in a head-on crash on U.S. Highway 95 south of Coeur d’Alene Friday.

Truman R. Jackson Jr., 63, of Coeur d’Alene, died when his northbound 2003 Lincoln Town Car crossed the center line and crashed into a southbound 1999 Toyota Corolla driven by Kami L. Edmonson, 21, according to the Idaho State Police.

Edmonson, of Hayden, also was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash was reported at 2:24 p.m.

Police say alcohol was not a factor.

The crash occurred at milepost 422, which is just south of Kidd Island Bay Road.

Meghann C. Cuniff