Idaho car crash: Seven dead after pickup truck and tour vehicle collided near Yellowstone
The accident occurred Thursday night on US-20; the pickup truck caught fire upon impact. State police continue to investigate the cause of the crash.
Seven people died in a tragic vehicle accident Thursday night in Idaho, near Yellowstone National Park. The collision involved a Dodge Ram pickup truck and a Mercedes Sprinter van with 14 people on board. The crash occurred around 7:15 p.m. on U.S. Highway 20, near Henry Lake, about 20 miles east of the park.
The van caught fire upon impact, and six of its occupants died, along with the driver of the Dodge pickup truck. The magnitude of the incident required extensive emergency services, including at least one air ambulance to transport the most seriously injured. The Idaho State Police reported that at least 16 people received medical treatment at the scene.
The names of the victims have not yet been revealed out of respect for the families
Authorities have not yet released the identities, ages, nationalities, or hometowns of the fatal victims. The Fremont County Coroner's Office will provide that information once the next-of-kin notification process is complete, according to a statement from the state police.
Douglas McBride, a spokesman for Madison Memorial Hospital in Rexburg, said five people were transported to the hospital. Two remain hospitalized in stable condition, while three have been released. McBride added that all the victims are related, but could not provide further details.
Following the accident on U.S. 20, authorities closed the highway to address the situation. Photo: KATU
Temporary closure of US-20 while investigation continues
Due to the severity of the accident, U.S. Highway 20 remained closed for approximately seven hours while emergency crews worked at the scene to treat the victims and remove the vehicles involved. Traffic was later reopened.
The Idaho State Police continue to investigate the cause of the accident. It has not been confirmed whether external factors, mechanical failure, or human error were involved. Authorities are asking any witnesses to come forward with information that may help clarify the incident.
