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Daily Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Sickening secret of truck driver, 25, who killed 7 in fiery crash at Yellowstone National Park
The driver involved in a fiery crash that killed seven people near Yellowstone National Park had a blood alcohol content more than twice the legal limit, authorities have revealed. Isaiah Moreno, 25, of Humble, Texas, was behind the wheel of the Dodge Ram pickup that collided with a tour van on Highway 20, resulting in the deaths of himself and six other tourists. 'This tragedy should be a wake-up call,' Police Capt. Chris Weadick said in a statement. 'No one plans to cause a crash or take a life when they get behind the wheel, but choices have consequences.' Idaho State Police revealed that Moreno had a blood alcohol content of .20 when he swerved across the center line of the highway and crashed into the Mercedes van at 7.15pm on May 1. 'Impaired driving isn't just illegal - it's deadly. If you see someone unfit to drive, speak up. Lives depend on it,' Weadick added. Both vehicles caught on fire, and Moreno and six people from China, Italy and California were killed. The remaining eight passengers of the van were taken to hospital with injuries after two passing travelers bravely helped pull them from the wreck before it burst into flames. One traveler, 60-year-old Roger Merrill, filmed the scene and recalled to Associated Press the horror he witnessed. Moreno had a blood alcohol content of .20 when he swerved across the center line of the highway and crashed into the Mercedes van at 7.15pm on May 1 He said he often saw tourist vans travel on the roadway toward Yellowstone National Park and described it as 'a very dangerous highway because it leads to the main entrance.' 'It's extremely busy,' Merrill said, and worried that emergency services would have a harder time accessing the remote location of the crash. 'It took an unnervingly long time for help to arrive just because of the location,' he added. Video footage from Merrill showed the roaring flames engulfing the vehicles as smoke billowed into the sky. Following the collision, two people were seen pulling 'as many as they could' from the wreck of the tour van and successfully rescued eight people, including a child. Fremont County Coroner Brenda Dye told the New York Times that the group in the van had been visiting Yellowstone National Park. The victims in the tour van were named as van driver Yu Zhang, 30, of Eastvale, California; Ivana Wen, 28, of Milan, Italy; Jianping Li, 71, of Guangxi, China; Xiaoming Jiang, 66, of Guilin, China; Li Nie, 64, of Arcadia, California; and Aifeng Wan, 53, also of Arcadia, California, Fox News reported.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Driver in Idaho crash that killed 7 people had a blood alcohol content of .20, police say
FREMONT COUNTY, Idaho (ABC4) — Idaho State Police have confirmed that the at-fault driver in a crash that killed seven people in Fremont County, Idaho, had a blood alcohol content of .20, more than twice the legal limit of .08. Shortly before 7:15 p.m. on May 1, Idaho State Police troopers responded to a crash at milepost 399 on eastbound U.S. Highway 20 near Henry's Lake State Park, around 16 miles west of Yellowstone National Park. The crash occurred between a Dodge Ram pickup truck and a Mercedes passenger van — both of which caught fire after the crash, police said. The Mercedes van was reportedly carrying a tour group of 14 people. Six were declared dead after the crash, and the others were taken to the hospital with injuries. The driver of the Dodge Ram pickup truck, Isaiah Moreno, 25, of Humble, Texas — who has since been confirmed to have had a blood alcohol content of .20 during the accident — was also declared deceased. READ: Utah family rushes to help in fiery crash that claimed 7 lives near Yellowstone National Park Courtesy of East Idaho News via Roger Merrill The crash occurred just at the start of the '100 Deadliest Days' — the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day when traffic fatalities rise due to increased summer travel, holidays, and impaired driving. 'This tragedy should be a wake-up call,' Idaho State Police Capt. Chris Weadick said. 'No one plans to cause a crash or take a life when they get behind the wheel, but choices have consequences. Impaired driving isn't just illegal — it's deadly. If you see someone unfit to drive, speak up. Lives depend on it.' Alcohol-related crashes remain one of the leading causes of traffic deaths in Idaho. This summer, Idaho State Police and the Idaho Transportation Dept. are joining up to increase DUI enforcement and expand public outreach. 'We ask everyone to help protect lives by staying sober behind the wheel,' an Idaho State Police press release states. 'The public is encouraged to report suspected impaired driving by calling ISP (477) or 911 if they observe erratic or dangerous behavior on the road.' Idaho State Police said the group of 14 people in the Mercedes van were headed to Yellowstone National Park on a tour organized by Ctour Holiday LLC. Of the 14 individuals in the Mercedes van, 12 were of Chinese nationality and one was of Italian nationality. A Utah family that witnessed the crash recalled a haunting story of the moments that followed. Man Labs Skincare tops our Father's Day must-have list Trump administration unveils more detailed proposal for steep 2026 spending cuts Disneyland's 70th Anniversary reflects a celebration of 'Happy' in it's special collection of merch and clothing Changes Health and Fitness shows a pickled snack, and uses the jars as workout weights Driver in Idaho crash that killed 7 people had a blood alcohol content of .20, police say Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Fox News
07-05-2025
- Fox News
Idaho police say truck crossed line before causing deadly tour van collision near Yellowstone National Park
Join Fox News for access to this content You have reached your maximum number of articles. Log in or create an account FREE of charge to continue reading. By entering your email and pushing continue, you are agreeing to Fox News' Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, which includes our Notice of Financial Incentive. Please enter a valid email address. Having trouble? Click here. The pickup truck that collided with a tour van near Yellowstone National Park last week is to blame for the crash, which left seven people dead, according to police. Idaho State Police said a Dodge Ram pickup truck crossed the center line on Highway 20 near Henry's Lake State Park and hit the Mercedes tour van, causing both vehicles to burst into flames. It is unclear what caused the truck to leave its lane. "Crash reconstruction is ongoing, and ISP troopers are working to determine all contributing factors," state police said on Tuesday. The driver of the truck and six of the 14 people inside the tour van died in the crash, police said. TOUR VAN CRASH NEAR YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK LEAVES 7 DEAD, POLICE SAY In addition to Idaho State Police, the National Transportation Safety Board is also investigating the crash since it involved a commercial vehicle. "NTSB personnel have visited the scene and are reviewing evidence. While information is being shared between ISP and the NTSB, each agency is conducting its own investigation," the ISP said. Idaho state troopers responded to the tragic scene at around 7:15p.m. on Thursday, which took place approximately 16 miles west of Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. DRIVER SUDDENLY STOPS IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY, CAUSES MULTI-CAR CRASH, THEN LEAVES: VIDEO Roger Merrill, a 60-year-old man who was driving home when he saw the vehicles on fire, told The Associated Press that bystanders were caring for the van survivors on the side of the highway until first responders arrived. "It took an unnervingly long time for help to arrive just because of the location," Merrill said. He also said he frequently sees tourist vans on Highway 20 as it leads to Yellowstone National Park. "We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those lost in this tragedy," ISP Sgt. Blake Higley said. "We are incredibly grateful to the passersby who stopped to help and to the first responders whose quick actions and teamwork aided those in critical need. This was a challenging and emotional scene for everyone involved." CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The highway was closed for almost seven hours while first responders and the Idaho Transportation Department managed the scene and cleared the roadway.
Winnipeg Free Press
07-05-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Truck crossed center line in crash with tour van that killed 7 near Yellowstone, police say
A pickup truck that collided with a tour van near Yellowstone National Park last week, killing seven people, crossed the highway's center line and hit the van, according to Idaho State Police. Investigating troopers have determined that the Dodge Ram pickup crossed the line on U.S. Highway 20 and struck the Mercedes passenger van, Police said in a Tuesday statement. Police are still investigating what caused the driver to veer into oncoming traffic. There was a group of twelve Chinese tourists and an Italian tourist on board the van, in addition to the driver. Five of the Chinese tourists, the Italian tourist and the pickup driver died in the crash, according to police, the Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco and the Italian Consulate General in San Francisco. Rescue workers arrive to the scene after a deadly collision between a pickup truck and tour van near Henry's Lake State Park in eastern Idaho on Thursday, May 1, 2025. (Roger Merrill via AP) Police previously identified the pickup driver as Isaih Moreno, 25, of Humble, Texas. The crash happened Thursday evening near Henry's Lake State Park in eastern Idaho. The state park is roughly 16 miles (26 kilometers) west of Yellowstone National Park. The truck was traveling west while the van was traveling east toward Yellowstone when it happened. Video from the scene showed clear weather conditions at the time. Both vehicles caught fire after colliding, police said. DNA tests results will be needed to identify the other people who died, according to police. The eight other people in the van were injured, police said. Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Sign up for The Warm-Up Because a commercial vehicle was involved and because of the magnitude of the crash, the National Transportation Safety Board is also conducting an independent investigation, police said. NTSB personnel have visited the scene and are reviewing evidence, according to police. According to the most recent data from the International Trade Administration, 36% of international visitors who arrived to the U.S. by air listed visits to national parks and national monuments as their top leisure activity while in the country.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Yahoo
New details released after 7 killed in tour van crash near Yellowstone National Park
FREMONT COUNTY, Idaho (ABC4) — New details have been released after seven people were confirmed dead in a crash involving a tour van near Yellowstone National Park on Thursday. Idaho State Police said the group of 14 people in the Mercedes van were headed to Yellowstone National Park on an excursion organized by Ctour Holiday LLC, a 'large-scale receptive tour operator that provides international travel services,' a press release from Idaho State Police states. Of the 14 individuals in the Mercedes van, 12 were of Chinese nationality and one was of Italian nationality. The driver was reportedly licensed in California. ORIGINAL STORY: 7 dead after van carrying tour group collides with pickup truck near Yellowstone National Park Courtesy of East Idaho News via Roger Merrill Next-of-kin notifications are ongoing, police said. This process is coordinated with local and international authorities, and the notifications are reportedly more complex when they are being done internationally. The deceased individuals are being transported to the Ada County Coroner's Office for autopsy and confirmation of identity. Idaho State Police troopers are working closely with Ctour Holiday LLC and are in contact with the Consulates of China and Italy as the investigation progresses. No information regarding the medical status of the injured will be released due to considerations for privacy, according to police. No further information is available at this time. Trump on if US will enter a recession: 'Anything can happen' VIDEO: K-9 attacks standoff suspect at Oregon rest stop Warren Buffett shocks shareholders by announcing his intention to retire at the end of the year New details released after 7 killed in tour van crash near Yellowstone National Park Why Costco, Sam's Club typically have lower gas prices than other stations Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
