Tragic Collision Near Yellowstone National Park
A pickup truck and a tour van carrying foreign visitors collided on US Highway 20 near Yellowstone National Park, resulting in a fatal crash that claimed seven lives and injured eight others. The incident occurred around 7:15 pm on Thursday near Henry’s Lake State Park in eastern Idaho, approximately 16 miles west of Yellowstone.
The collision involved a westbound Dodge Ram truck and an eastbound Mercedes van heading toward Yellowstone. Both vehicles caught fire following the impact. The 25-year-old driver of the truck, Isaih Moreno from Humble, Texas, and six passengers in the van died at the scene. Two of the deceased were identified as Italian nationals, while the others were foreign visitors. Their identities are pending confirmation due to the severity of their injuries.
The tour van was carrying 14 tourists. The eight survivors were rushed to nearby hospitals, with two airlifted to facilities in Idaho Falls and Bozeman, Montana. While the exact conditions of the survivors are still unknown, the remaining injured individuals are believed to have non-life-threatening injuries.
Witness Roger Merrill, who encountered the crash scene while driving home, described seeing flames engulf the vehicles and bystanders assisting the injured while awaiting first responders. Merrill, 60, noted that the highway is particularly busy and hazardous, especially given its connection to Yellowstone National Park.
Local authorities, including Fremont County sheriff’s deputies, played a crucial role in the rescue efforts. Idaho Governor Brad Little confirmed that the state is collaborating with officials to investigate the cause of the crash. The highway, which recorded an average daily traffic volume of approximately 10,500 vehicles in 2023, had been previously identified as a candidate for safety improvements, although the project remained in the planning stages at the time of the incident.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing, with authorities working to determine the factors that contributed to the tragic collision.
