SOUTHERN IDAHO – A tragic day on southern Idaho’s highways left three people dead and several others injured in a series of serious crashes on Wednesday.
Fatal Collision Near Bliss Involving Semi-Truck
The first crash occurred at approximately 12:43 p.m. on Interstate 84 near milepost 141, just east of Bliss. According to ISP, a 69-year-old male from Ogden, Utah, was traveling westbound in a 2019 Nissan Frontier while towing a cargo trailer. The vehicle crossed the interstate median and collided with a semi-truck pulling a 2020 utility trailer, driven by a 43-year-old male from Ozone Park, New York, with a 23-year-old male passenger from Indianapolis, Indiana.
The impact caused both vehicles to catch fire. The driver of the Nissan succumbed to his injuries at the scene. ISP reported that it is unknown whether he was wearing a seatbelt. The semi-truck occupants, both of whom were wearing seatbelts, were not transported for medical treatment.
The crash resulted in a significant closure on I-84, with lanes blocked for approximately six hours as emergency crews responded and cleared the scene.
One Killed, One Injured in Crash in Gooding County
Less than two hours later, at 2:11 p.m., a second fatal crash occurred on I-84 at milepost 142.5. ISP reports that a 2017 Jeep Cherokee, driven by a 39-year-old female from Issaquah, Washington, was traveling westbound along with a 2025 Freightliner Cascadia driven by a 61-year-old male from Eastland, Texas, when traffic slowed.
The Jeep attempted to maneuver around the Freightliner and struck the trailer it was pulling. The 35-year-old female passenger from Mill Creek, Washington, in the Jeep, died at the scene. The driver was airlifted to a local hospital with injuries. The driver of the Freightliner was not transported. All individuals involved were wearing seatbelts.
The crash blocked the left westbound lane for about three hours as emergency personnel assisted those involved and cleared the site.
Rexburg Woman Killed in I-15 Rollover South of Pocatello
The day’s third fatal crash occurred at approximately 3:44 p.m. on Interstate 15 near milepost 62, south of Pocatello. A 26-year-old female from Rexburg, Idaho, was driving a 2010 Toyota Corolla northbound when she failed to navigate a curve, veered off the road, and entered the median.
She died at the scene. Her passenger, a 26-year-old male from Rexburg, was transported by ground ambulance to a local hospital. The crash resulted in a two-and-a-half-hour closure of the affected stretch of I-15 while emergency crews responded.
All three incidents remain under investigation by Idaho State Police.
