St. Maries, ID (March 15, 2026) – A two-vehicle crash on Thursday morning, March 12, near St. Maries left one man dead. The collision happened around 9:25 a.m. on State Highway 3 near milepost 86, just north of the city.
Investigators said a 65-year-old man from St. Maries was driving a 2025 Toyota Tacoma northbound when he failed to navigate a curve and crossed left of center. His vehicle then collided with a southbound 1990 Peterbilt semi-truck driven by a 48-year-old man from Saint Regis, Montana.
The driver of the Tacoma was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity has not been released, though next of kin have been notified. The driver of the semi-truck was not reported injured.
The highway was blocked for about two and a half hours while crews worked at the scene. Officials are continuing to piece together the events leading up to the crash.
We extend our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased.
Why Crossing the Center Line Can Lead to Serious Crashes
Crossing into oncoming traffic is a common cause of severe collisions, especially on rural highways with curves. When a driver fails to maintain lane position, it can result in a direct impact with vehicles traveling in the opposite direction.
Curves require reduced speed and careful steering to stay within the lane. Larger vehicles, such as semi-trucks, pose a greater danger due to their size and weight. Road conditions, driver attention, and vehicle handling all influence how safely a curve can be navigated.
