A tragic collision involving a Dodge Ram pickup truck and a Mercedes passenger van near Yellowstone National Park has led to seven fatalities. According to Idaho State Police, the pickup crossed the center line on U.S. Highway 20, hitting the van transporting international tourists.
The accident took place around 7:15 p.m. on Thursday, May 1, 2025, near Henry’s Lake State Park in eastern Idaho, roughly 16 miles west of Yellowstone National Park. After the crash, both vehicles caught fire, which made rescue operations challenging in the remote area.
The victims include 25-year-old Isaih Moreno from Humble, Texas, who was driving the pickup, and six passengers from the tour van operated by Ctour Holiday LLC. The deceased passengers were five Chinese nationals and one Italian tourist, while eight others in the van were injured.
The van carried 14 people, including 12 Chinese nationals, one Italian national, and the driver, who was licensed in California.
Due to the crash’s severity and subsequent fire, Fremont County coroner Brenda Dye stated that DNA testing would be necessary to identify several victims. The process of identification and notifying next of kin was expected to take time.
Medical teams airlifted three critically injured victims—one to Bozeman, Montana, and two to Idaho Falls, Idaho. The other five survivors were transported by ground ambulance with minor injuries. Hospital records indicate that those five received treatment and were later discharged.
A witness arrived minutes after the crash, noting extensive damage to both vehicles. The fire reportedly started around 10-15 minutes after the impact. Bystanders and a Fremont County sheriff’s deputy, who arrived shortly after the incident, helped the injured van occupants before flames engulfed the vehicle.
The accident’s remote location delayed emergency services, creating additional challenges for responders.
The reason for the pickup truck crossing the center line is still under investigation. State police are conducting a crash reconstruction to determine all contributing factors. Due to the involvement of a commercial vehicle and the crash’s scale, the National Transportation Safety Board has joined the investigation, with each agency conducting an independent inquiry.
Idaho Governor Brad Little stated that the state is collaborating with local officials to understand what led to the incident.
Ctour Holiday LLC expressed its condolences and cooperation with the investigation.
The Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco confirmed the deaths of the five Chinese citizens and the eight injured. The consulate has activated its emergency mechanisms to provide consular protection and assistance to the injured and the families of the victims.
The Idaho Transportation Department had previously identified this stretch of highway for safety enhancements to reduce crash severity, although the project was still in the research and planning phase. Transportation data indicate that approximately 10,500 vehicles traveled this section of the highway daily in 2023.
The accident led to the highway being closed for nearly seven hours as emergency personnel managed the scene and cleared the roadway.
Tourism data shows that visits to national parks and monuments are among the top leisure activities for international visitors to the United States. Yellowstone National Park, which spans parts of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, attracts numerous domestic and international travelers each year.
