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Idaho State Police
District 6
1540 Foote Dr.
Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402-1828
(208) 528-3400
For Immediate Release: 05/24/24 at 7:45 p.m.
Direct questions to the District Office
(Updated Release: 05/24/24 at 7:45 p.m.)
UPDATE: Crash in Idaho Falls Results in 6 Fatalities
On May 18, Idaho State Police troopers responded to milepost 308 on US 20 in Idaho Falls, Bonneville County, on the report of a crash between a Dodge Ram and a Chevrolet passenger van. Troopers found the Ram driver was injured, along with six deceased and nine wounded people in the van. All injured were transported to an area hospital for medical treatment.
The Ram's driver, identified as 26-year-old Luis Garcia-Diaz of Rexburg, ID, was treated for his injuries. Upon his release today, troopers arrested Garcia-Diaz on a warrant for six (6) counts of felony vehicular manslaughter in Bonneville County. He was transported and booked into the Bonneville County Jail without incident.
Charging documents for Garcia-Diaz are available to the public through the iCourt system. (www.icourt.idaho.gov)
The investigation continues to determine the immigration status of Garcia-Diaz. It has been reported that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico confirmed that the passengers in the crashed van were all agricultural workers from Mexico in the United States on H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker visas; however, the investigation will continue to confirm these details.
This crash remains under investigation. Additional updates are not expected as the process moves into the legal system.
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(Original Release: 05/18/24 at 1:40 p.m.)
Idaho State Police are investigating a fatality crash that occurred on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 5:29 a.m., on US 20 at milepost 308 in Idaho Falls in Bonneville County.
A Ram pickup was eastbound on US20 near the Lindsay Boulevard exit in Idaho Falls when it was driven left of center and collided with a westbound Chevrolet passenger van. The driver of the pickup was transported to a local hospital. The driver of the van, along with five other passengers in the van, succumbed to their injuries at the scene of the crash. Nine other passengers of the van were injured and transported to a local hospital via ground ambulances.
Idaho State Police was assisted by the Idaho Falls Police Department, Idaho Transportation Department and the Idaho Falls Fire Department. Both lanes were blocked for approximately five and half hours with the westbound lane blocked an additional hour while crews worked to continue the investigation and clear the scene. This crash is still under investigation by the Idaho State Police.
2406 / 542 / PAO / 3451
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