A devastating crash occurred on Thursday evening near Henry’s Lake State Park in eastern Idaho, involving a pickup truck and a tour van headed to Yellowstone National Park. The Idaho State Police reported that seven people lost their lives, and eight others were injured in the collision, which happened just before 7:15 p.m.
The crash site was approximately 16 miles west of Yellowstone National Park, a route known for its heavy traffic due to its connection to the popular national park. Both vehicles involved in the accident caught fire, according to the Idaho State Police. The Dodge Ram pickup truck’s driver and six passengers in the Mercedes van died at the scene. The van was carrying 14 people as part of a tour group; the survivors were rushed to hospitals with various injuries.
Witness Roger Merrill, who was driving home at the time, witnessed the aftermath of the crash. He described seeing flames engulfing both vehicles and bystanders attempting to help the survivors from the van. Merrill noted that the highway, which leads to the main entrance of Yellowstone, is particularly busy and dangerous. He also captured video of the wreckage, showing smoke surrounding the van.
The response time for emergency services was delayed due to the remote location of the crash. “It took an unnervingly long time for help to arrive just because of the location,” Merrill said. Air ambulances and paramedics eventually responded to the scene, and the collision remains under investigation.
The Idaho Transportation Department has previously identified this highway as needing safety improvements to reduce the severity of crashes. In 2023, the daily average traffic volume on this portion of the highway was approximately 10,500 vehicles. While plans for safety improvements are underway, they are still in the research and planning phase.
As of Friday morning, the Fremont County coroner’s office had not released the names of those killed. The Idaho State Police were still working to notify the family members of the victims and the injured, and therefore, were not releasing details such as names, ages, hometowns, or nationalities of those involved.
