Three dead in car crash near Sandpoint

Three people have died and two are hospitalized after a vehicle crashed into the Lower Pack River Sunday night near Sandpoint, according to the Idaho State Police.

The car entered the river near milepost 37 of SH 200, just east of Sandpoint, around 7 p.m. Sunday, said a media release from ISP’s District 1.

The vehicle was traveling east on the highway when driver Stephen Estes, 32, of Sagle, lost control and crossed into the westbound lane, according to the release. Lindsey Rose, 30, of Oldtown, Jeffrey Hooper, 41, of Sagle, and two children were passengers.

Estes, Rose and Hooper died at the scene, according to the release. The two children were transported to Bonner General Hospital in Sandpoint. 

An investigation into the cause of the accident is continuing, the release said.