Highlighting America’s ongoing struggle with deadly drunk driving incidents, a driver with a blood alcohol level nearly three times the legal limit caused a fatal inferno that killed seven people near Yellowstone National Park.
The horrific crash happened on a popular tourist route in Idaho when an intoxicated driver from Humble, Texas, crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with a van full of international visitors.
Idaho State Police revealed that Isaih Moreno had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.20 – more than double the legal limit – when he plowed his pickup truck into a tour van on Highway 20 near Henry’s Lake.
The crash occurred approximately 20 miles from Yellowstone National Park on a route frequently used by tourists traveling between Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.
Both vehicles erupted into flames following the collision, claiming the lives of Moreno and six people in the tour van.
The van, operated by Ctour Holiday LLC, was carrying 14 passengers, including tourists from China and Italy who had come to America to experience the nation’s natural wonders.
Among the deceased were international visitors Jian Shi and Xiaoming Jiang from China, and Ivana Wen from Italy. Two California residents, along with the van’s driver, also died in the crash.
The tragic accident shut down Highway 20 for approximately seven hours as emergency responders worked the scene.
Furthermore, the devastating collision occurred just before what Idaho officials call the “100 Deadliest Days,” the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day when traffic fatalities typically spike.
According to state officials, alcohol is the leading cause of traffic deaths in Idaho, a statistic that is replicated across many American states despite decades of awareness campaigns.
The crash has renewed calls for stricter enforcement of existing DUI laws and prompted discussions about personal accountability.
First responders and bystanders, including a Fremont County sheriff’s deputy, assisted the injured survivors who were taken to nearby hospitals.
The crash has deeply affected the local community and park employees preparing for the busy summer season, when Yellowstone National Park typically welcomes millions of visitors from across America and around the world.
Community and national leaders are called upon to bolster existing DUI interventions and amplify educational outreach to ensure such tragedies are averted in the future.
