Video shows what led up to fatal Idaho Falls crash

IDAHO FALLS — Surveillance video obtained by EastIdahoNews.com shows what led up to a crash that killed two people and resulted in a California man being charged with vehicular manslaughter.

The collision happened Saturday, Sept. 17, around 12:30 p.m.

The video shows a 2013 Buick LaCrosse approaching a stop sign at 17th Street while traveling southbound on Curtis Ave. The driver does slow down, but it appears the Buick does not make a complete stop as the driver turns right onto 17th.

At this moment, a 1990 Mazda Miata can be seen traveling westbound on 17th.

Idaho Falls police say 20-year-old Nicholas Perea of Canyon Lake, California, was the driver, and although his exact speed is unknown, court records show Perea admitted to driving around 60 mph.

The video shows large plumes of smoke as Perea slams into the Buick, driven by an 82-year-old Idaho Falls man.

The Buick driver and his three passengers were all transported to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.

Two of the passengers, a 79‐year‐old Idaho Falls woman and an 86‐year‐old Oak Harbor, Washington, woman died as a result of their injuries.

The city of Idaho Falls has refused to release names of those involved in the crash other than Perea’s.

A male passenger in the Miata told police that “they were just testing out what the car could do.”

Court records show at the time of Perea’s arrest, he appeared to be very concerned about the wellbeing of others involved in the accident.

Perea is scheduled to appear in Bonneville County court for a preliminary hearing next month.