**Update** Westbound Interstate 84 blocked east of Rupert for crash

IDAHO STATE POLICE NEWS RELEASE - generated by our News Release ListServer
DO NOT REPLY
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

IDAHO STATE POLICE NEWS RELEASE
District 4 Patrol 218 West Yakima, Jerome, ID 83338-5904 (208) 324-6000
Fax (208) 324-7897

For Immediate Release: 12/22/14 3:15 p.m.
Please direct questions to the District Office

**Update**

On December 22, 2014, at 8:47 a.m., Idaho State Police investigated a crash on Interstate 84 at milepost 214. Charles Howe, 47, of Denver, North Carolina, and his passenger, Ricky Jarrell, 48, of Lincolnton, North Carolina, were westbound in a semi tractor-trailer three miles east of Rupert. Howe was wearing his seatbelt, and Jarrell was in the sleeper portion of the tractor. Howe fell asleep while driving. The semi struck the northern guardrail, and the passenger side of the vehicle caught fire. Both men were able to exit the semi before it was fully engulfed by the fire.

Howe and Jarrell were transported to Minidoka Memorial Hospital in Rupert by ground ambulance. Both westbound lanes were blocked for approximately six hours while crews worked to clear the scene of debris. At 2:30 p.m., the Idaho Transportation Department opened the left lane to traffic. The right lane of travel is still blocked at this time.

LL / HG
----------
The Minidoka County Sheriff's Office and Idaho State Police are at the scene of a semi crash westbound Interstate 84 at milepost 214. Both westbound lanes are blocked at this time. More information will be released when it is available.

LL / HG
-------------