A devastating collision between a pickup truck and a tour van occurred on U.S. Highway 20 near Henry’s Lake State Park in eastern Idaho on May 1, 2025, resulting in seven fatalities and eight injuries, according to Idaho State Police.
Crash Details
The crash happened just before 7:15 p.m. when a Dodge Ram truck traveling west collided with a Mercedes van carrying 14 foreign visitors heading east toward Yellowstone National Park. Both vehicles caught fire upon impact.
The driver of the pickup truck, identified as 25-year-old Isaih Moreno from Humble, Texas, was among the dead. The van, carrying a tour group, suffered six fatalities, including two confirmed individuals from Italy. The identities of the others are pending DNA test results due to the severe condition of the bodies.
Eight survivors were hospitalized with injuries; two were flown to an Idaho Falls hospital, and one to a Bozeman, Montana hospital. The conditions of the injured were not disclosed.
Investigation and Reactions
The crash remains under investigation, with no clear cause identified. Video footage from the scene showed clear weather conditions at the time of the accident. Witness Roger Merrill described the highway as “extremely busy” and dangerous, particularly as it leads to Yellowstone’s main entrance.
Idaho Governor Brad Little expressed his commitment to understanding the cause of the tragedy. The Idaho Transportation Department had previously identified this highway segment for safety improvements, though the project remains in the planning phase. The highway sees an average daily traffic of about 10,500 vehicles.
The incident has highlighted concerns about road safety in the region, especially given the high volume of tourist traffic to Yellowstone National Park.
