On 7/26/23 at approximately 0730 hours, the Kootenai County Central Dispatch Center received a call of a vehicle collision between a semi-truck and small passenger car at the intersection of W. Hayden Avenue and N. Meyer Road. KCSO Deputies along with members of the Kootenai County Fire and Rescue responded to the scene and found the driver of a 1994 Honda Civic unresponsive. The driver was transported to Kootenai Health with life threatening injuries.
The KCSO Traffic Unit responded to investigate the scene. The preliminary investigation determined the driver of the Honda Civic was traveling southbound on Meyer Road when he failed to stop for the stop sign. Upon entering the intersection, the Honda Civic was struck by a semi-truck traveling westbound on Hayden Avenue. 
The driver of the Honda Civic was identified as Hunter Szydlowski, a 22 year old male from Spirit Lake. At the time of this release, Szydlowski was in critical condition. Neither speed nor alcohol is believed to be a factor in this crash.
The roadway was closed for several hours while the investigation was being completed. Several vehicles had passed the barricades during the investigation nearly striking deputies. The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind everyone that while barricades are an inconvenience, they are placed to keep workers safe and protect evidence. Disobeying the barricades to make your route shorter can result in injuries to those working behind them, as well as fines for the driver.
Sheriff Robert B. Norris
By: Sgt. Jeff Howard
Case Number: 23-31981
Contact: Lt. Zachary Sifford
Office: 208-446-2245
PIO Cell: 208-758-1045
sopio@kcgov.us