Police Launch New Particulars, Names of seven Vacationers Killed in Crash Close to Yellowstone Nationwide Park

Authorities have shared new particulars tied to the incident when seven individuals had been killed after a tour van and a pickup truck crashed close to Yellowstone Nationwide Park.

On Friday, Might 16, the Idaho State Police (ISP) revealed the names and origin nations of the people who died within the Might 1 crash, which occurred simply earlier than 7:15 p.m. on U.S. Freeway 20 close to Henry’s Lake State Park — about 16 miles west of Yellowstone.

Police beforehand mentioned the van was carrying 14 individuals, and the truck’s driver was alone. Six of the van passengers and the truck driver died.

The deceased ranged in ages from 28 to 71. They’ve been recognized as 28-year-old Ivana Wen from Milan, Italy; 71-year-old Jianping Li from Guangxi, China; 66-year-old Xiaoming Jiang from Guilin within the Guangxi Province of China; 64-year-old Li Nie and 53-year-old Aifeng Wan, each from Arcadia, Calif.; 30-year-old Yu Zhang of Eastvale, Calif., who was recognized because the tour van’s driver; and 25-year-old Isaih Moreno of Humble, Texas, who was recognized as the driving force of the truck.

The ISP mentioned that investigators decided, primarily based on the preliminary proof they gathered, that “the Dodge Ram pickup crossed the middle line and collided with the eastbound Mercedes van.” Police added that the “cause for the pickup’s motion” continues to be beneath investigation, and investigators are doing “crash reconstruction and extra testing.”

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In an announcement, Idaho State Police Captain Chris Weadick mentioned authorities had been “deeply grateful” to a “passerby” who “stopped to assist and Sheriff Bart Quayle and his deputies from Fremont County who responded instantly.” He added, “Their fast actions undoubtedly saved lives.” 

“That is what legislation enforcement seems to be like in Idaho—we work collectively when it issues most,” Weadick continued. “We wish to thank Fremont County EMS and Hearth, a lot of whom are volunteers, for his or her fast deployment, arrival, and important position in triaging and helping the wounded. Their response made a major distinction within the quick aftermath.”

“.Given the dynamic nature of the crash, the variety of casualties, and the involvement of overseas nationals, this has been a extremely advanced investigation,” he additionally acknowledged. “We admire the general public’s persistence and understanding as we’ve labored to substantiate details and supply verified info.”

Roger Merrill had been driving residence and witnessed the scene shortly after the crash occurred, he informed the Associated Press. He took a video of the collision’s aftermath, exhibiting smoke overlaying the van and each automobiles engulfed in flames, and waited for first responders to reach as bystanders tried to take care of the victims.

“It’s a very harmful freeway as a result of it results in the principle entrance of Yellowstone Nationwide Park. It is extraordinarily busy,” he mentioned, including, “It took an unnervingly very long time for assist to reach simply due to the placement.”