Franklin, ID (December 14, 2024) – A multi-vehicle collision with one fatality occurred on Thursday afternoon at approximately 1:25 p.m. on US91 at Legacy Dr, according to the Idaho State Police (ISP). The crash, described as a chain-reaction collision, involved four vehicles and resulted in significant disruptions to traffic.
The tragic sequence began when a 77-year-old man from Logan, Utah, driving a 2006 Mazda Tribute northbound on US91, stopped in the roadway and began reversing toward the intersection. Simultaneously, a 2021 Dodge Ram, driven by a 32-year-old man from Franklin, was turning left onto Legacy Dr from the southbound lanes. The 2021 Dodge stopped in the northbound lanes to avoid colliding with the reversing Mazda.
A 1999 Dodge Ram, driven by a 20-year-old man from Franklin, was traveling northbound on US91 and swerved into the southbound lanes to avoid colliding with the 2021 Dodge. Despite the effort, the 1999 Dodge struck the 2021 Dodge and then continued into the left turn lane, colliding head-on with a 2018 Jeep Renegade driven by a 23-year-old woman from Preston.
Tragically, the driver of the Jeep succumbed to her injuries at the scene. The ISP confirmed that she had been wearing her seatbelt at the time of the crash. The driver of the 1999 Dodge, who was not wearing a seatbelt, sustained injuries. The other drivers involved were reported to have been wearing seatbelts and were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
The southbound lanes of US91 were closed for over four hours as emergency responders assisted those involved and cleared the debris. ISP continues to investigate the incident to determine the exact sequence of events and contributing factors.
Chain-Reaction Collisions and Road Safety in Idaho
Chain-reaction crashes, such as the one on US91, often result from sudden and unexpected events in traffic. These incidents can lead to severe injuries or fatalities, especially when multiple vehicles are involved. The use of seatbelts significantly improves the chances of survival in such crashes, as demonstrated in this tragic incident.
Idaho highways like US91 are vital routes, but they require drivers to maintain safe speeds, avoid abrupt maneuvers, and remain vigilant. Proper vehicle maintenance and adherence to traffic laws are essential to preventing accidents, particularly during complex traffic interactions like lane reversals or left turns.
For victims and families affected by collisions, seeking immediate medical attention, documenting the scene, and consulting with professionals for legal or insurance guidance are critical steps.
If you or someone you know has been affected by a chain-reaction crash, Local Accident Reports provides resources and assistance to navigate recovery and next steps.