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Idaho State Police
Region 5 5205 South 5th Ave.
Pocatello, Idaho 83204-2299
(208) 236-6466 FAX: (208) 236-6068
For Immediate Release: 08/08/2011 9:50 PM
Contact: Trooper Aikele
On August 08, 2011, around 4:00 p.m., Idaho State Police investigated a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 15 near mile post 92, just south of Blackfoot.
Maria Gomez, 43 of Idaho Falls, was traveling northbound on I-15 in the left lane just south of Blackfoot when she encountered an ITD vehicle on the left shoulder. The ITD vehicle was providing traffic control for a mower that was cutting weeds on the shoulder. When Gomez encountered the ITD vehicle she swerved to the right lane to avoid a collision with the pickup. As Gomez went into the right lane she overcorrected to the left causing her to lose control of her vehicle. Gomez slid off the road on the left shoulder and struck the back end of the mower being operated by ITD. When Gomez struck the mower it caused her vehicle to roll over into the median. The interstate was closed for about twenty minutes while Portneuf Life Flight landed and prepared Gomez for transport. Gomez was transported to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center by Life Flight with serious life-threatening injuries. Gomez was seen using her cell phone just prior to the crash and was reported to be wearing her seatbelt. Alcohol is not believed to have been a factor. The crash is still under investigation by Trooper Aikele with assistance from Corporal Noyes, Trooper Barnes, and Specialist Sweat, as well as Bingham County Deputies and Paramedics.
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Original releases:
Both lanes are open at this time and traffic is now flowing. More information will follow when available.
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The Idaho State Police is currently investigating a serious injury crash northbound on Interstate 15 at milepost 92 near the southern edge of Blackfoot. Both lanes were blocked to land an air ambulance. At this time only the left lane is blocked. More information will be released as it becomes available.
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