UPDATE: One child killed in I-15 accident; three others hospitalized
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A child died in a semi-truck vs. pickup truck crash on Interstate 15 near Fort Hall on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2015. Below are news and updates we received on Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning with the most recent being listed first.
UPDATE: 9:36 a.m. Wednesday
Idaho State police released the following statement about the accident:
The driver of the 2007 Chevrolet 1500 pickup was Elena Holbrook, 39, of Blackfoot, ID.
UPDATE: 10:27 p.m. Tuesday
Idaho State police released the following statement about the accident:
Terry Laeger, 60, of Pocatello, was driving a 2000 Freightliner southbound when he lost control of the vehicle after a tire blew. Laeger’s vehicle crossed through the median and onto the northbound lanes. Upon crossing into oncoming traffic, the semi collided head on with a 2007 Chevrolet 1500 pickup traveling northbound.
An adult female was driving the Chevrolet with her 4 children. One child succumbed to their injuries at the scene; the other three were transported via ground ambulance to Portneuf Medical Center. The mother was also transported to the same hospital via air ambulance. The driver of the semi was not transported.
Seatbelts and child seats were being used at the time of the crash. Northbound lanes were blocked for approximately two hours.
This crash is under investigation by the Idaho State Police. Fort Hall Fire and Police as well as Bingham County Sheriff’s deputies assisted on scene.
UPDATE: 7:20 p.m.
Another crash has occurred at milepost 81 in the southbound lane of I-15 not far from the original accident.
ISP tells EastIdahoNews.com that a person stuck in northbound traffic cut across the median to travel southbound. Officers say an oncoming southbound driver had to swerve to avoid hitting the car cutting across the median.
The driver who swerved then rolled into a ditch, according to ISP.
Nobody was transported to the hospital.
Northbound and southbound lanes on I-15 were open again prior to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 24.
ORIGINAL STORY:
FORT HALL — A child has been killed in a two-vehicle crash on on northbound I-15 at milepost 82, two miles north of the Fort Hall exit.
The accident occurred shortly after 4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24.
Bingham County Sheriff Craig Rowland confirmed the death and told EastIdahoNews.com a semi-truck and trailer traveling southbound on I-15 lost control of his vehicle after a tire blew. The semi-truck crossed the median and a hit a northbound pickup truck.
The driver of the pickup was taken by air ambulance to Portneuf Medical Center. Three other children in the pickup were taken by ground ambulance to Portneuf Medical Center, he said. The driver of the semi was not hospitalized.
The crash initially blocked both lanes. A detour has been set up via U.S. Highway 91.
Metal debris that was being carried by the semi-truck spilled on the road. Rowland said the debris is mainly on the side of the road and will be cleaned up Wednesday.
Photos courtesy Cory McHugh. Video courtesy Todd Sorenson.
