In eastern Idaho, tragedy struck when a pickup truck and a tour van carrying international tourists collided on a highway leading towards Yellowstone National Park, resulting in the loss of seven lives and leaving eight individuals injured. The incident occurred just before 7:15 p.m. on Thursday on U.S. Highway 20, close to Henry’s Lake State Park, roughly 16 miles from Yellowstone’s entrance.
Details regarding the specific cause of the collision remain unclear. However, authorities noted that the Dodge Ram truck was heading west, while the Mercedes van was traveling eastwards towards Yellowstone at the time of the accident. Weather conditions appeared to be clear during this period, as evidenced by footage from the scene.
Both of the vehicles involved were engulfed in flames, leading to the deaths of the pickup driver and six occupants of the van. The pickup driver was identified on Friday as 25-year-old Isaih Moreno from Humble, Texas. Meanwhile, identification of the van victims could take longer due to the condition of the bodies, which were too severely damaged to recognize. Two of the deceased were known to be Italian nationals.
China’s Consulate General in San Francisco reported that five Chinese nationals were among those who died, with an additional eight injured in the accident. They offered condolences and committed to supporting the families affected. However, discrepancies were noted between the figures provided by Chinese officials and the Fremont County coroner.
The van, carrying a total of 14 travelers, had its surviving passengers rushed to medical facilities. Some with more severe injuries were airlifted to hospitals in Idaho Falls and Bozeman, Montana, while the rest were sent to nearby hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
As investigations continue, witness Roger Merrill, who was returning home at the time, recounted the intense scene where vehicles were consumed by flames and bystanders were assisting the survivors at the roadside. He remarked on the frequently dangerous nature of the busy highway leading to Yellowstone.
Merrill captured video footage of the burning wreckage. Given the remote setting, he expressed anxiety over the wait for first responders. However, a Fremont County sheriff’s deputy, in conjunction with bystanders, provided immediate aid to those injured shortly after the collision.
In response to the incident, Idaho Governor Brad Little expressed via social media a commitment to cooperating with local authorities to uncover the causes behind this tragedy. The Idaho Transportation Department had previously earmarked this highway stretch for safety enhancements to minimize crash severity, though planning was still in its introductory phases. Recent statistics indicated an average of 10,500 vehicles traversed this highway segment daily in 2023.