A devastating collision between a pickup truck and a tour van near Yellowstone National Park last week resulted in seven fatalities after the truck crossed the highway’s center line and struck the van, according to Idaho State Police.
The crash occurred on U.S. Highway 20 near Henry’s Lake State Park in eastern Idaho, about 16 miles west of Yellowstone. The Dodge Ram pickup truck, traveling west, crossed into the eastbound lane and collided with a Mercedes passenger van carrying 13 tourists and a driver. The van was headed toward Yellowstone National Park.
The impact and subsequent fire resulted in the deaths of five Chinese tourists, one Italian tourist, and the pickup truck driver, Isaih Moreno, 25, from Humble, Texas. Eight other occupants of the van were injured.
Police are investigating the cause of the crash, with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) conducting an independent probe due to the severity of the incident and the involvement of a commercial vehicle. NTSB personnel have visited the crash site and are reviewing evidence.
The collision happened on a clear evening, with video from the scene showing good weather conditions. DNA testing will be required to identify some of the victims due to the severity of the damage.
The incident highlights the importance of road safety, particularly in areas popular with tourists, such as Yellowstone National Park. According to recent data, 36% of international visitors to the U.S. list visiting national parks as their top leisure activity.
