Deadly Van-Truck Crash Near Yellowstone Kills Seven \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ A van carrying foreign tourists, including Italians, collided with a pickup truck near Yellowstone National Park, killing seven and injuring eight others. The crash occurred on U.S. Highway 20 in Idaho, where both vehicles caught fire. Authorities continue investigating the cause as victim identification is underway.
Quick Looks
- Fatal crash occurred Thursday evening near Henry’s Lake State Park, Idaho.
- Pickup truck collided with tour van heading toward Yellowstone National Park.
- Seven people were killed, including two tourists from Italy.
- The van carried 14 people; eight were injured and hospitalized.
- Both vehicles caught fire; many victims were unrecognizable.
- Pickup driver identified as 25-year-old Isaih Moreno of Texas.
- DNA tests are underway to identify other victims.
- Crash happened on busy U.S. Highway 20, known for tourist traffic.
- Eyewitness described long response time due to remote location.
- State officials are now accelerating highway safety planning.
Deep Look
A deadly crash on U.S. Highway 20 near Yellowstone National Park has claimed the lives of seven people and left eight others injured, sending shockwaves through Idaho’s rural communities and raising urgent questions about highway safety on one of the busiest tourist corridors in the American West.
The incident unfolded just before 7:15 p.m. on Thursday, along a remote stretch of highway near Henry’s Lake State Park, approximately 16 miles from Yellowstone’s western entrance. According to the Idaho State Police, a westbound Dodge Ram pickup truck collided with an eastbound Mercedes tour van carrying 14 international passengers. In the moments following impact, both vehicles burst into flames, turning the site into a chaotic scene of smoke, fire, and frantic rescue efforts.
The driver of the pickup, 25-year-old Isaih Moreno of Humble, Texas, was pronounced dead at the scene. Also killed were six passengers from the tour van, all of whom were foreign nationals. Authorities have confirmed that two of the victims were from Italy, but the identities and nationalities of the others remain unverified due to the condition of the remains. Fremont County Coroner Brenda Dye stated that DNA testing would be required to identify the victims, as their bodies were rendered unrecognizable by the fire.
The surviving passengers from the van, some severely injured, were pulled from the wreckage by bystanders and a Fremont County sheriff’s deputy who arrived quickly after the collision. Emergency medical teams transported eight survivors to local hospitals. Two were airlifted to Idaho Falls, one to Bozeman, Montana, and others to facilities across eastern Idaho. Police noted that while several injuries were serious, many were considered non-life-threatening.
Eyewitness accounts offer a harrowing glimpse into the tragedy. Roger Merrill, a 60-year-old local resident, was on his way home when he saw the fire. “Flames were shooting up from both vehicles, and there was black smoke everywhere,” he recalled. He recorded video of the burning wreckage as bystanders did what they could to help the injured. “It took an unnervingly long time for help to arrive,” Merrill said, pointing out the challenges of responding quickly in such a remote and mountainous area.
U.S. Highway 20 is a vital transportation link and a major artery for tourists headed to Yellowstone National Park, particularly during spring and summer. Locals like Merrill say that while the road is scenic, it is also narrow, winding, and often overcrowded—especially with rental cars, RVs, and tour vans. “It’s a dangerous stretch,” he said. “People are driving long distances, unfamiliar with the roads, and often distracted by the scenery.”
The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) had already flagged this part of Highway 20 for safety improvements before the crash occurred. The agency cited the need to reduce crash severity and better manage the increasing traffic volume. In 2023, the stretch saw an average of 10,500 vehicles per day, a number expected to climb due to rising interest in U.S. national parks. However, the planned upgrades were still in the research and planning stage, not yet implemented when the fatal crash occurred.
As the investigation into the cause of the crash continues, there are still many unanswered questions. Police have not yet determined what led to the collision, but video from the scene confirmed clear weather conditions at the time. Whether excessive speed, driver fatigue, mechanical failure, or a momentary lapse in attention contributed to the wreck remains under review. No arrests or citations have been issued as of Friday evening.
On social media, Idaho Governor Brad Little expressed his condolences and pledged support for the ongoing investigation. “The state is working with local officials to get answers on what led to this terrible tragedy,” he wrote, adding that discussions around transportation safety would be revisited in light of the crash.
The incident has resonated not just locally but internationally, as foreign nationals traveling in the U.S. were among the dead and injured. It underscores the unique vulnerability of tourists navigating unfamiliar American highways and highlights the responsibility of both public officials and private tour operators to prioritize traveler safety.
For the families of the victims—some of whom may be learning about the crash from across the globe—the grief is compounded by uncertainty. DNA testing will take time, and repatriating remains may present further logistical challenges. The crash site itself is now a chilling reminder of the fragility of life on the road, particularly in areas where nature, tourism, and infrastructure intersect with deadly consequences.
As emergency crews finish their cleanup and the investigation proceeds, the crash stands as one of Idaho’s deadliest in recent years. It’s likely to prompt not only infrastructure reassessments but also renewed calls for better emergency response coordination in rural areas, improved signage and road markings, and stricter vehicle safety checks for commercial tour operators.
For now, a quiet stretch of highway near one of America’s most iconic parks has become a place of mourning—marked by burned-out vehicles, a rising death toll, and haunting questions about what could have been done to prevent it.
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