A tragic accident occurred in Idaho Falls, Idaho, resulting in the deaths of six people and injuries to 10 others. The crash involved a pickup truck veering into oncoming traffic and colliding with a passenger van filled with occupants. Among the deceased were the van’s driver and 5 passengers, while the pickup truck driver was hospitalized with unspecified injuries. The nine others hospitalized were passengers in the Chevrolet van, which was struck on U.S. Highway 20. The van, a Chevrolet Express, was likely near its capacity of 15 passengers at the time of the crash.
The pickup truck, a Ram model, was traveling eastbound near Interstate 15 when it crossed into the westbound lanes and struck the van. The reason for the pickup entering oncoming traffic was not immediately clear. Weather conditions at the time of the crash were relatively calm, with a temperature of 34 degrees, clear skies, and minimal wind. Highway 20, where the accident occurred, typically sees around two fatalities per year, according to the Idaho Transportation Department.
Following the accident, emergency crews closed a portion of Highway 20 for five hours as they worked to clear debris and investigate the scene. The crash highlights the dangers of travel on highways, even in seemingly favorable weather conditions. The community of Idaho Falls and the state police department will likely be working to determine the cause of the crash and prevent similar incidents in the future. Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those affected by this tragic event.
