One Dead in US 12 Crash Near Orofino After Deer Collision

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A 36-year-old woman from Kamiah, Idaho, died Tuesday after a deer was launched into her vehicle on US 12, Idaho State Police reported.

The crash occurred around 4:00 pm near milepost 45.5, east of Orofino. An unidentified vehicle traveling westbound struck a deer, sending the animal into the windshield of an eastbound Subaru Crosstrek, according to the Idaho State Police.

The driver of the Subaru succumbed to her injuries at the scene. A 34-year-old female passenger from Lenore, Idaho, was injured in the collision and was transported to a local hospital by ground ambulance, the Idaho State Police said.

Multiple agencies coordinated the scene following the collision. The Idaho State Police were assisted by the Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office, the Orofino Fire Department, and the Idaho Transportation Department, according to the Idaho State Police.

Authorities have notified the next of kin regarding the fatality. Investigators are currently working to identify the driver of the westbound vehicle that initially struck the deer. Because that vehicle’s involvement triggered the fatal impact with the Subaru, officials are looking for any witnesses who may have seen the original collision.

The Idaho State Police are asking anyone with information regarding the vehicle that struck the deer to contact them at 208-209-8730. The investigation is being tracked under incident number 2026-00147573.

For further updates on regional road conditions and official district news, residents can monitor the District 2 – Central Idaho information page provided by the state.

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