Update: Lewiston Police told KLEW News on Friday that they believe one of the deceased was the driver and there is no reason not to believe that. That said, investigators continue their work in piecing together exactly what happened.
A driver failed to yield for police, lost control of the vehicle, crashed into a brick retaining wall, and sheared off a power pole, Lewiston Police said Thursday morning.
At about 12:41 a.m., an officer tried to stop a 1999 GMC Yukon near the 1800 block of Main Street. Police said the vehicle fit the description of a vehicle used by a subject involved in a crime on June 22nd.
According to a press release, the Yukon didn't stop. The officer discontinued his attempt to stop the vehicle due to the unsafe driving of the Yukon.
The driver committed several traffic violations as it sped westbound on Idaho street, then started to lose control, narrowly missing a parked car and a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction, police said.
The Yukon then crossed into the eastbound lane of Idaho Street, and left the roadway.
At the 1400 block of Idaho Street, the Yukon went onto the sidewalk where it struck a brick retaining wall and sheared off an Avista power pole.
The Yukon flipped onto its top and came to rest in the front yard of a residence.
Police said there were a total of five people in the Yukon. Two of them were pronounced dead at the scene, the other three were taken to the hospital.
The name had not been released as of Thursday morning as officers were in the process of notifying next of kin.
Numerous Avista customers lost power due to this crash.
The crash is under investigation by LPD's Major Collision Investigation Team.
Anyone who has information on the crash or witnessed the incident is asked to contact LPD Sgt. Craig Roberts at 208-746-0171.