One dies, two injured in accident near Weippe

A Weippe woman died and two others were injured in a one-vehicle accident early Thursday evening, according to an Idaho State Police press release.

Patricia Aquino, 57, died early this morning, 2:56 a.m., at Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d'Alene where she had been medivaced after the accident. Melissa Opresik, 41, Weippe, was also seriously injured. She was taken to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, WA. Driver Teresa Stamper, 32, Weippe, was transported to Clearwater Valley Hospital with injuries. Aquino and Opresik were passengers in the vehicle, according to ISP.

Stamper was driving a 1983 Subaru GL Wagon traveling southbound on State Highway 11 at mile marker 23.5 near Weippe when the she failed to negotiate a right-hand curve with the vehicle. The Subaru crossed left of center and left the roadway to the east shoulder, vaulted and came to rest in a field parallel to the highway, ISP said.

Both front airbags deployed. None of those in the Subaru were wearing seat belts and no one was ejected. Alcohol was involved and the accident continues to be investigated, ISP said.

In addition to ISP troopers K. Yount and Ed Koopman, Clearwater County Sheriff's Department, Clearwater County Ambulance Service crews from both Weippe and Pierce and Timberline Rescue responded to the scene. Orofino Body Shop towed the Subaru.