MULLAN, Idaho — A 49-year-old woman from Kellogg was struck and killed by a vehicle on Interstate 90 near Mullan early Thursday morning, according to Idaho State Police. The fatal crash shut down a stretch of eastbound I-90 for more than three hours and remains under active investigation.
ISP officers responded to the scene on eastbound I-90 near Mullan just before 2 a.m. Thursday after receiving reports of a car-versus-pedestrian collision. According to authorities, a red semi-truck traveling east on the interstate struck the woman, who was on foot in the roadway at the time of the crash. The woman died from her injuries at the scene.
The victim, identified as a 49-year-old Kellogg resident, had not been publicly named as of the time of this report. Idaho State Police confirmed that next of kin has been notified. The stretch of eastbound I-90 near the crash site was closed for approximately three and a half hours before reopening to traffic.
A Dangerous Stretch of Mountain Highway
Interstate 90 through the Silver Valley corridor — running through communities including Mullan, Wallace, Kellogg, Osburn, Smelterville, and Pinehurst — is a heavily traveled mountain highway that presents significant safety challenges, particularly during overnight hours when visibility is reduced. The two-lane configuration in certain stretches near Mullan and the area’s rugged terrain make pedestrian presence on the roadway especially hazardous.
The circumstances that led the woman to be walking on the interstate in the early morning hours have not been disclosed by authorities. ISP has not released information on the speed or condition of the semi-truck driver at the time of impact, and the investigation is ongoing.
This stretch of I-90 has seen a number of serious traffic incidents over the years. A prior fatal pedestrian strike involving a semi-truck on Interstate 90 near Mullan drew attention to the dangers facing those on foot along this corridor, and a separate fatal pedestrian strike on I-90 near Mullan is also currently under investigation by Idaho State Police. The frequency of serious crashes in this stretch of the Silver Valley highlights an ongoing public safety concern for local residents and regional travelers alike.
ISP Seeks Public Assistance
Idaho State Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash or who has information relevant to the investigation to come forward. Corporal Daniel Taylor is leading the investigation and can be reached directly at 208-209-8620.
Authorities have not indicated whether any charges are expected in connection with the crash. As with all fatal traffic incidents in Idaho, ISP will conduct a thorough investigation before forwarding findings to the appropriate prosecuting authority, if warranted.
The Kellogg community, like much of Shoshone County, is a close-knit area where the loss of a resident resonates deeply. Local emergency personnel, including those who responded to the scene on I-90 Thursday morning, regularly face the difficult task of managing serious traffic incidents along this busy mountain corridor.
Community members with information about the crash are strongly encouraged to contact ISP as soon as possible. Even details that may seem minor can be critical to reconstructing the events that led to a fatal crash.
What Comes Next
Idaho State Police will continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal pedestrian crash on I-90 near Mullan. Once the investigation is complete, findings will be reviewed to determine whether any further legal action is appropriate. The identity of the victim is expected to be released in the coming days once all next-of-kin notifications are finalized. Shoshone County News will continue to follow this story as more information becomes available from ISP. For statewide traffic safety news, visit Idaho News, and for broader North Idaho context, see Kootenai County News.