KOOTENAI COUNTY, Idaho — If your car happens to break down on I-90 near Coeur d’Alene, the Idaho Transportation Department is ready to help.
According to ITD, about 63,000 cars and trucks travel every day on I-90 between the Washington-Idaho border and east Coeur d’Alene.
In mid-February, 26-year-old Nigel Sherman pulled over on the side of I-90 to help a stalled car. A drunk driver hit and killed him.
The department hopes its new Incident Response Vehicle will help prevent future tragedies and keep people safe.
“Our biggest goal is just to try to bring another level of safety to North Idaho and to the people up here,” said Ryan Crabtree, ITD District 1 Fleet Manager.
The big yellow truck patrols the busy I-90 corridor keeping an eye out for any drivers in trouble. Idaho State Police Department can also dispatch them to scenes as needed. All assistance is provided free of charge.
“If you need help changing a tire, we’ll have the tools and expertise to help get that done and in an expedited fashion and get you on the road,” Crabtree said.
The rig’s team will also jump your car, give you a gallon of gas to get to the nearest pump and help with other minor repairs.
The drivers are also first-aid and CPR certified.
“Our families, our friends are out on the roadway and knowing that we’re doing the best customer service that we can for the public, it gives you some nice piece of mind,” Crabtree said.
As of now, ITD has one Incident Response Vehicle, and has plans for another one to hit the road in the next few months.
The truck will patrol Tuesday through Friday, 6 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
RELATED COVERAGE: Family and friends grieve man killed by suspected impaired driver on I-90
COPYRIGHT 2025 BY KXLY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
