Thursday, January 9, 2014

Forty-Four Vehicle Crash on I-84 between Ten Mile and Black Cat Roads

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IDAHO STATE POLICE NEWS RELEASE
Teresa Baker
Public Information Officer
Headquarters
700 S. Stratford Dr., Meridian 83642
(208) 884-7122
Fax (208) 884-7087

For Immediate Release: 1/10/14 at 12:30 a.m.

MERIDIAN - On January 9, 2014, at approximately 9:00 a.m., Idaho State Police investigated a series of crashes along the one-mile stretch of westbound I-84 between Ten Mile and Black Cat Roads that involved at least forty-four vehicles, and sent multiple people to area hospitals. Many of the crashes happened simultaneously, but the crashes were broken down into twelve incidents for investigation purposes. Details are still being developed, but preliminary information has been released.

The most serious injury crash started when traffic along I-84 began to encounter thick fog just past the Ten Mile exit. Traffic was slowing and coming to a stop. A 2004 Kenworth logging truck, driven by Cory D. Ford, 38 of Emmett, was traveling west on I-84 in lane 1, the far left lane, and struck many other vehicles as it tried to maneuver through the fog and come to a stop. The vehicle that sustained the most significant damage was a 2011 Subaru Forester, driven by Jose D. Silva-Cuellar, 52, of Meridian. Silva-Cuellar was trapped in the Forester and extrication took about one hour. He was transported by ground ambulance to St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise. No others were injured in this crash.

A second crash involved three vehicles and is believed to have occurred prior to the crash with the logging truck. The vehicles were damaged, but no injuries were reported.

A third crash involved two vehicles and is also believed to have occurred prior to the crash with the logging truck. The vehicles were damaged, but no injuries were reported.

A fourth crash involved two vehicles with minor damage to the vehicles, and no injuries were reported.

A fifth crash involved two vehicles with damage to the vehicles, but no injuries were reported.

A sixth crash involved two vehicles with damage to the vehicles, but no injuries were reported.

A seventh crash involved three vehicles. Two of drivers in those vehicles were transported to area hospitals by ground ambulance.

An eighth crash involved three vehicles with damage to the vehicles, but no injuries were reported.

A ninth crash involved three vehicles with damage to the vehicles, but no injuries were reported.

A tenth crash took place in the eastbound lanes of I-84, directly parallel to the other crashes. Three vehicles were damaged, one person was injured and transported by ground ambulance to a local hospital.

An eleventh crash involved two vehicles with damage to the vehicles, but no injuries reported.

The greatest number of vehicles involved in one incident began as a semi-truck slowed and was struck from behind. The thirteen vehicles behind the semi-truck each rear-ended the vehicle in front of them in a chain reaction. There were three persons injured in this incident who were transported by ground ambulance to area hospitals. All of the drivers and their occupants in this incident were believed to be wearing their seatbelts.

Westbound I-84 was blocked between the Ten Mile and Garrity exits for approximately five hours.

The investigation into each of these crashes is continuing. Several drivers were cited for driving too fast for conditions and there may be other citations issued.

While the weather conditions may have been a factor in the crashes, Idaho State Police believe that these types of crashes can be avoided if drivers pay attention to changing weather conditions and changes to the road surface. Driver should modify their driving behaviors by slowing down and allowing more space between vehicles.

The Idaho State Police were assisted by Nampa Fire Department, Meridian Fire Department, Ada County Paramedics, Canyon County Paramedics, Ada County Sheriff's Office and the Idaho Department of Transportation.


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