A highway trip through north-central Idaho turned deadly for a group of Colorado motorcyclists Tuesday afternoon when a pickup crossed the centerline and slammed into their bikes on U.S. Highway 12 east of Kooskia. Three riders died at the scene, and the crash triggered a major response from law enforcement and emergency crews.
According to the Idaho State Police, the collision happened around 4 p.m. near milepost 113 on U.S. Highway 12. Investigators say a 2019 Ford F-150 was heading westbound when the driver tried to pass another vehicle in a clearly marked no-passing zone, crossed over the double yellow centerline, and hit three eastbound motorcycles. The highway was shut down for roughly six and a half hours while troopers documented the scene.
The Idaho County Coroner identified the riders as Ethan Powers, 35, of Timnath; Jeremy Coleman, 45, of Berthoud; and Nathan McCormick, 26, of Loveland, according to CBS Colorado. All three were pronounced dead where they fell.
Idaho State Police reported that the pickup driver, 60-year-old Neale Brewer of Colorado Springs, was taken to a local hospital for evaluation. After she was cleared and released, officers arrested her and booked her into the Idaho County Jail on probable cause for three counts of vehicular manslaughter. Troopers say the investigation is still active.
Legal Status And Next Steps
Being booked on probable cause means investigators believed there was enough evidence to hold the driver while they continue building the case. It is not a conviction, and formal criminal charges have not yet been decided. Prosecutors will review the investigative file and determine what charges, if any, to file in court. If charges are brought, Brewer would then move into the formal court process, which could include arraignment, hearings, and potentially a trial.
Context For Colorado Riders
Back home, Colorado has already been dealing with a troubling rise in motorcycle deaths this year. State figures show an unusually high number of rider fatalities earlier in 2026, a spike safety officials have linked in part to warmer weather and more bikes on the road, according to Colorado Public Radio.
Investigators said agencies assisting at the crash site included the Idaho County Sheriff's Office, the Idaho County Coroner's Office, the Idaho Transportation Department, and local fire and EMS crews. Officials directed anyone with questions about the case to contact District 2 of the Idaho State Police.
