Incident Overview
A serious three-vehicle collision occurred Wednesday afternoon in Idaho Falls, sending two people to the hospital and prompting an extended traffic disruption near a busy intersection.
The crash happened just after 3:00 p.m. at the intersection of East 17th Street and Ashment Avenue, a heavily trafficked area surrounded by residential and commercial properties.
Vehicles and Drivers Involved
- Vehicle 1: Black Dodge Durango, driver identified as a 47-year-old male
- Vehicle 2: White Ford Fusion, occupied by a 35-year-old female driver and her teenage daughter
- Vehicle 3: Gray Honda CR-V, driven by a 29-year-old male
Witnesses reported that the Durango was heading westbound on 17th Street when it failed to stop at a red light and collided at speed with the Ford Fusion, which was making a left-hand turn onto Ashment. The CR-V, which was in the opposing lane waiting to turn, was struck in the secondary impact.
Injuries and Medical Response
Paramedics from the Idaho Falls Fire Department responded within minutes. The Ford Fusion’s driver and her daughter were both transported to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center with what authorities described as “non-life-threatening but potentially serious injuries.” Both were reportedly conscious and communicative at the scene.
The other two drivers were assessed but declined transport. All involved parties were wearing seatbelts, and airbags deployed in each of the vehicles, according to first responders.
Traffic and Emergency Response
The crash led to partial closure of the westbound lanes of East 17th Street for approximately 90 minutes, causing significant congestion during the after-school traffic surge. Idaho Falls Police rerouted drivers through side streets while tow trucks cleared the wreckage.
Debris from the crash—primarily from the Fusion and Durango—was scattered across multiple lanes, with oil and coolant leaks requiring cleanup by city street crews before the road could reopen fully around 4:40 p.m.
Investigation Status
The Idaho Falls Police Department is leading the investigation. Early indications point to red-light violation as the primary cause. No citations or arrests have been made yet, but an official report is expected later this week. Officers have obtained traffic camera footage and witness statements to determine if additional charges or citations will be issued.
Toxicology screens have not yet been publicly addressed, but no immediate signs of impairment were noted by officers at the scene.
Community Safety Insight
This intersection—East 17th and Ashment—has been the site of multiple injury-causing collisions in recent years, prompting local discussions about better traffic calming measures. Idaho Falls currently lacks a red-light camera enforcement program, though city councilmembers have cited repeated accidents like this one in calls for more aggressive safety technology deployment.
For drivers in similar high-traffic environments, this crash is a blunt reminder of the consequences of distracted or hurried decision-making. Speed, signal obedience, and situational awareness remain critical—even for experienced drivers in daylight hours.
Final Note
Two people injured, three cars damaged, and a main traffic artery disrupted—all in the space of a few seconds. The impact of even a momentary lapse at a signalized intersection can be long-lasting. As this case develops, updates will be monitored for legal outcomes and any further medical reports.
Our thoughts remain with those injured as they begin recovery.
