Pickup nearly goes into Clearwater River off US 12

A newer, black pickup nearly went into the Clearwater River late Tuesday afternoon when it left the roadway on U.S. Highway 12 near mile marker 34, one mile west of Peck Junction, went down the embankment and hit a large tree that stopped its trajectory into the water.

Idaho State Police is investigating the crash that occurred about 4:43 p.m. The 36-year-old driver from Juliaetta was driving westbound on US 12 near milepost 39 when she was stung on her face by a bee. The driver approached milepost 34 and lost consciousness. The driver drove the vehicle off of the right shoulder and crashed into a tree. The tree blocked the vehicle from falling into the Clearwater River.

The driver was transported by Clearwater County Ambulance Service to Clearwater Valley Hospital where she was treated for her injuries. The driver was wearing her seatbelt at the time of the crash and there was no indication that the driver was driving impaired. Both lanes of travel returned to normal traffic flow about an hour and a half later, ISP reported.

Besides ISP, Nez Perce County Sheriff's Office, Nez Perce Tribal Police, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Orofino Fire Rescue, Clearwater County Ambulance Service and several bystanders assisted at the scene.

The incident remains under investigation by the Idaho State Police.

The black pickup impacted a large tree that stopped its trajectory into the Clearwater River. The red arrow highlights the location of the tree.

This photo shows the path the pickup took off the roadway. The red arrow in the foreground points out the reflector post that was hit. The one in the background shows the location of the pickup.