Crash into South Fork yields DUI arrest

ELK CREEK — A Wallace woman is facing numerous charges after crashing her vehicle into the South Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River Tuesday afternoon while under the influence of alcohol.

Idaho State Police tells the Hagadone News Network that Amanda Williford, 35, of Wallace was traveling on eastbound Interstate 90 near Elk Creek around 1 p.m. when she drifted into the left lane. Based on tire marks left on the roadway, Williford was traveling at over 100 mph when she then overcorrected to the right.

The 2006 Hummer H3 she was operating then proceeded to take out roughly 40 feet of metal guardrail before tumbling down a 38-foot embankment, hitting two trees, and finally coming to a rest 20 feet into the river.

Emergency crews with the Shoshone County Sheriff's Office, Shoshone County Fire District No. 2, Osburn Police Department and ISP responded to the incident after it was reported by witnesses.

Williford was not injured as a result of the crash, but a juvenile passenger was transported to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane for non-life threatening injuries. That individual was released from the hospital on Wednesday.

"No one died," said ISP Trooper Tim Myers. "It was super shocking to me because the 2-year-old in the backseat was not properly restrained."

While officials are still awaiting blood analysis results, it is believed that Williford's blood-alcohol content was roughly three times the legal limit of .08 at the time of the crash.

According to Shoshone County jail bookings, she is facing charges of aggravated DUI, injury to a child/children, possession of less than 3 ounces of marijuana, and use or possession of controlled substance paraphernalia.

At her first court appearance on Wednesday, Williford pled not guilty to all charges and magistrate judge Keisha Oxendine set bail at $50,000 with conditions. Her preliminary hearing is set for April 26.