Five injured in three vehicle crash near Elmira

July 23, 2017

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A three vehicle collision on Highway 95 near Elmira this afternoon sent five people to the hospital and closed the highway for nearly five hours, backing traffic on the north end clear to Naples. According to the Idaho State Police, Jesse J. Uanino, 35, Hicksville, New York, was driving a black 2003 Chevy Blazer north near mile 490 at about 1:21 p.m. when he slowed for a left-turning vehicle and was rear-ended by a red 2012 Volkswagen Beetle driven by Edgar C. Farnham, 77, Troy, Montana. The impact sent Uanino's vehicle into the oncoming lane, where he hit a southbound 2005 Nissan Maxima driven by Chad T. Blake, Yakima. Uanino was not wearing a seatbelt and was flown by a LifeFlight helicopter to Kootenai Health in Coeur d'Alene. His passenger, Celesta F. Collacci, 27, was transported by ambulance to Bonner General Hospital, Sandpoint, as were Blake and his passenger, Jodee L. Blake, 41. Farnham was transported to Kootenai Health by ambulance. Assisting ISP were the Bonner County Sheriff's Office, the Idaho Transportation Department, Northside Fire Department, South Boundary Fire and Bonner EMS.