Fatal Collision Near Yellowstone National Park
A devastating crash occurred on a highway leading to Yellowstone National Park on Thursday evening, resulting in seven fatalities and eight injuries, according to the Idaho State Police. The collision involved a Dodge Ram pickup truck and a Mercedes passenger van carrying a tour group of 14 people near Henry’s Lake State Park in eastern Idaho.
The incident happened just before 7:15 p.m. near the state park, which is about 16 miles west of Yellowstone’s main entrance. Both vehicles caught fire in the crash, and authorities have not yet determined the cause of the collision. The driver of the pickup truck and six occupants of the van died at the scene.
The surviving members of the tour group were taken to hospitals with injuries. 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 on notifying family members of the victims and thus had not disclosed details about the people involved.
Roger Merrill, a 60-year-old driver who witnessed the crash, described the scene as chaotic. “It is a very dangerous highway because it leads to the main entrance of Yellowstone National Park,” he said, noting the high volume of tourist traffic. Merrill captured video of the wreckage, showing the van engulfed in smoke. He expressed concern about the delayed response time due to the remote location.
The Idaho Transportation Department has identified this highway for potential safety improvements, citing its high traffic volume – an average of about 10,500 vehicles daily in 2023. However, any safety projects remain in the research and planning phase.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing, with authorities working to piece together the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.
