Three vehicle injury crash WB I84 at milepost 45, near Meridian

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IDAHO STATE POLICE NEWS RELEASE
District 3 Patrol 700 S. Stratford Dr., Meridian 83642
(208) 846-7550
Fax (208) 846-7520
For Immediate Release: 05/21/2014 5:16 p.m.
Please direct questions to the District Office
On Wednesday, May 21, 2014, at approximately 11:19 a.m., Idaho State Police investigated a three vehicle, injury crash westbound on I84 at milepost 45, near Meridian. Elijah Paul, 19, of Caldwell, was traveling west on I84 in a 2004 Dodge Neon when he hit a ski/swim platform that had fallen from a boat onto the lanes of travel. Upon hitting the platform, Paul's vehicle came to a stop in the left lane of the four westbound lanes of travel. William Diehl, 31, of Meridian, was traveling west in a 2001 Chevrolet van behind Paul and was unable to stop before rear ending the Dodge Neon. After being rear ended, the Dodge Neon rotated to the right, across the westbound lanes of travel. Yu Huang, 41, of San Gabriel, California, was traveling west in a 2003 Freightliner tractor-trailer and collided with the Dodge Neon as it rotated into his lane of travel. All vehicles came to a stop in the westbound lanes of travel.
Elijah Paul and his passenger, Ryan Beers, 18, of Caldwell, were both transported by ground ambulance to St. Lukes Medical Center in Meridian for treatment of injuries. All occupants of all vehicles were wearing seatbelts. The westbound lanes were blocked for approximately one and half hours.
The Idaho State Police is requesting any witnesses to the crash or any individuals with information regarding the loss of the swim platform from the ski boat to please contact them at 208.846.7550. The crash is still under investigation.
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