This story is part of our Quick Hits series. This series will bring you breaking news and short updates from throughout the state.
Editor’s Note: This story was updated with more details on May 6.
Idaho State Police (ISP) continue to investigate a crash just west of Yellowstone National Park last week that left seven people dead.
The crash involved a 14-passenger tour van traveling north on U.S. Highway 20 toward Yellowstone and a Dodge Ram pickup truck, heading south on May 1 around 7:15 p.m.
The tour was organized by Ctour Holiday LLC, an international travel services provider. The van’s driver was licensed in California. Twelve passengers were Chinese nationals and one was Italian. Next of kin notifications remain ongoing for the six passengers who were killed in the accident.
The driver and sole occupant of the pickup, who also died in the accident, was identified as a man from Texas.
“Due to the international nature of those involved, the process is complex and will take additional time,” ISP said in a release. “As part of the investigation, the deceased will be transported to the Ada County [Idaho] Coroner’s Office for autopsy and formal confirmation of identity. This step is essential to ensure accurate identification and documentation.”
ISP said it’s in touch with the Chinese and Italian consulates as the investigation progresses.
Due to privacy considerations, no information regarding the medical status of the injured will be released.
A local sheriff’s deputy and bystanders were able to assist injured occupants out of the van as it caught fire.
Original story
Seven people are dead after a pickup truck and passenger van collided and caught fire west of Yellowstone National Park the evening of May 1.
Idaho State Police (ISP) is investigating the crash near Henry’s Lake on U.S. Highway 20. The highway was closed for about seven hours while emergency responders and the Idaho Transportation Department worked to manage the scene and clear the roadway.
According to ISP, a Mercedes passenger van was operating a tour carrying 14 people. Six of them perished. The driver of a Dodge Ram pickup also died from the crash.
The New York Times is reporting the passengers of the van had been part of a group that was touring Yellowstone.
According to The Times, the coroner leading death investigations is waiting on DNA testing to identify the deceased from the van, because their bodies were unrecognizable. She said the six people in the tour van were from abroad.
The Times reports, “After the crash, two others on the highway jumped out of their vehicle to help, [Fremont County, ID coroner Brenda Dye] said. They were ‘trying to pull out as many as they could,’ from the van, which was emitting smoke, Ms. Dye said. She said they succeeded in helping eight people out of the van, including a child, before the van caught fire.”
