COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho — A moose is dead following a collision with a vehicle on Atlas Road on Tuesday night.
The Coeur d’Alene Police Department responded to the area of Atlas Road just north of Interstate 90 around 5:30 p.m., according to Sgt. Jared Reneau.
A female driver was traveling southbound when the moose reportedly ran out in front of her car, resulting in the collision.
The driver was uninjured, but the vehicle received extensive damage to the windshield, Reneau said. The driver was not cited.
The moose suffered extensive injuries in the collision, including broken legs. Due to the severity of the moose’s injuries, the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office dispatched the animal at the scene.
“We responded to assist with the dispatching of the moose, as it was injured and would not live without assistance,” Lt. Jeff Howard with KCSO explained.
According to Fish and Game Regional Communications Manager TJ Ross, the moose was salvaged after a community member filed a roadkill salvage permit.
“The moose was not wasted,” Ross said.
While vehicle collisions with moose are uncommon, Ross said it is not unusual for moose and other wildlife to wander into town during colder months in search of food.
The last such incident occurred in Coeur d’Alene in 2022, when a moose calf was struck by a vehicle at Ramsey Road and Hanley Avenue. The calf was euthanized a day later after it became clear the calf would not recover from its injuries.
Reneau said Tuesday’s incident is an important reminder to slow down and be aware of wildlife, particularly when driving right after dark.
“Winter presents a lot of challenges, and wildlife is one of them,” Reneau said.
This story was originally published by our news partners, the Coeur d'Alene Press.
