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IDAHO STATE POLICE NEWS RELEASE
District 3 Patrol 700 S. Stratford, Meridian 83642
(208) 846-7550
Fax (208) 846-7520
For Immediate Release: 02/07/12 12:05 p.m.
Contact: Lieutenant Sheldon Kelley
The Idaho State Police is continuing the investigation into the fatal crash that occurred on Jan. 14, 2012, on I-84 east of Mountain Home, ID. While the final investigative report is not yet complete due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, some facts relating to contributing factors have been determined and can now be released. They are the following:
The driver of the westbound Saturn Vue, Taylor Sauer, was traveling 88 mph immediately prior to impact with the slowly moving semi/tanker trailer traveling westbound in the right lane of I-84. "Speed" has been determined as a contributing factor of the crash.
Taylor Sauer was also using her cell phone to text extensively throughout the route she was traveling, up to and including during the last minutes prior to the deadly crash. The text messages were both incoming and outgoing during her trip between Logan, UT and the site of the crash near milepost 108 on I-84. In addition to the texting, there were multiple "Facebook" communications to and from Taylor Sauer during the minutes immediately prior to the crash. "Inattention" and "Distractions In the Vehicle" have also been determined as contributing factors of the crash.
Note, this release is being sent to correct some information that has been distributed by media outlets in the last 24 hrs. If you have questions, please contact ISP District 3 Patrol Lieutenant Sheldon Kelley at 884-7360. Thank you.
*********** Original Release from 01/14/12 ******************
IDAHO STATE POLICE NEWS RELEASE
District 3 Patrol 700 S. Stratford, Meridian 83642
(208) 846-7550
Fax (208) 846-7520
For Immediate Release: 01/15/12 4:10 a.m.
Contact: Master Corporal Porupsky
On January 14, 2012, at approximately 9:00 p.m., Idaho State Police investigated a three vehicle fatality crash Westbound I84 at milepost 108, 13 miles east of Mountain Home in Elmore County. Taylor Sauer, 18 of Caldwell, ID, driving a 2004 Saturn Vue, was traveling west on Interstate 84 near milepost 108. David Seefried, 49 of Heyburn, ID, driving a 2011 International Semi pulling a tanker trailer, was traveling west on Interstate 84 in the right lane of travel, up a long grade at approximately fifteen miles per hour. Sauer impacted the rear of the tanker and then was struck by a 2003 Volvo Semi pulling a trailer, driven by Slawomir Porada, 42 of St. Louis, MO. Porada after impacting the Saturn Vue, drove off the road way. Sauer was pronounced dead at the scene. Porada was transported by ground ambulance to Elmore Medical Center in Mountain Home. Seat belts were worn by all. Alcohol was not a factor in this crash.
The westbound lanes were blocked for approximately an hour. Traffic was reduced to a single lane for three hours while crews worked to clear the scene.
The crash is under investigation by Master Corporal Porupsky, and assisted by Sergeant Cagle, Specialist Bailey, Specialist Carmack, Trooper Higley, Elmore County Sheriff's Office and emergency personnel.
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