DO NOT REPLY
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Idaho State Police
District 6 1540 Foote Dr.
Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402-1828
(208) 525-7377 FAX: (208) 525-7294
For Immediate Release: 01/04/11 14:36
Contact: Trooper Jerry Law
On Wednesday, January 04, 2012, at approximately 4:36 p.m., Idaho State Police investigated a semi versus train crash in Shelley, Idaho.
Laron Nielsen, 47, of Idaho Falls, was traveling west on Center St. towards US91 in a 2004 Columbian Freightliner semi truck. Nielsen crossed over the railroad tracks that were parallel to US91 and stopped at a stop sign to turn northbound onto US91. Joseph Kelley, 58, of Pocatello, was the engineer of the train that was heading northbound on the railroad tracks. The back of Nielsen's semi trailer was about six inches over the railroad tracks when the train struck the semi's trailer.
Nielsen had one passenger, Gerald Young, 73, of Blackfoot. Kelley had three passengers; Lancer Bloxham, 34, of Pocatello; Kasey Paul, 28, of Pocatello and Thomas Beseris, 53, of Pocatello.
The railroad crossing at Center St. was closed for approximately two hours. There were no injuries. Nielsen and his passenger were wearing their seatbelts.
The crash is under investigation by Tpr. Law who was assisted by Cpl. Summers.
-------------
