Friday, October 25, 2013

Three Vehicle Crash on Yellowstone Highway, near Sunnyside Road Intersection

IDAHO STATE POLICE NEWS RELEASE - generated by our News Release ListServer
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Idaho State Police
District 6 1540 Foote Dr.
Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402-1828
(208) 525-7377 FAX: (208) 525-7294

For Immediate Release: 10/25/2013 at 4:30 p.m.
Please direct questions to the District Office

On Friday, October 25, 2013, at approximately 10:22 a.m., Idaho State Police investigated a three-vehicle, injury crash on Yellowstone Highway, near the intersection of Sunnyside Road in Idaho Falls.

Idaho Falls Police Department Officer Michael Cosens, 49, of Idaho Falls, ID, was stationary in a 2009 Dodge Charger on Yellowstone Highway, just north of Sunnyside Road. The emergency and directional lights on his emergency vehicle were activated as Officer Cosens provided traffic control for a tow truck that was removing a vehicle from the roadway. Makenzi Paoli, 19, of Idaho Falls, ID, was driving north on Yellowstone Highway, in a 2009 Kia Spectra. Paoli was distracted and struck the rear of Officer Cosens' vehicle while he sat in the driver's seat. Officer Cosens' vehicle was pushed into a 2004 Peterbilt Tow truck, owned by Hendrickson's Towing. The tow truck was unoccupied at the time of the crash.

Officer Cosens was transported by ground ambulance to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls, ID.

Paoli was not wearing a seatbelt and was charged with Driving Without Privileges, Inattentive Driving, Fail to Provide Proof of Insurance, and Possession of Marijuana.

The investigation is continuing.


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