East Idaho — Tragedy struck East Idaho this week as four people — Dylan Millhouse, Manuel Rodriguez-Baltazar, Raul Navarrete, and a 76-year-old male passenger from Lethbridge, Canada — lost their lives in three separate crashes on Interstate 15 over a span of less than 72 hours. The string of fatal wrecks began Tuesday morning near Fort Hall, continued Thursday evening north of Spencer, and concluded early Friday morning in Pocatello. Authorities have released the names of only two of the four victims.
Pocatello Crash – Friday, 2 a.m.
The most recent fatality occurred at 2 a.m. Friday in north Pocatello. A 47-year-old Pocatello man was driving a 1997 Mitsubishi 3000 GT northbound on Interstate 15 when he veered off the road, struck the guardrail, went over it, and collided with the Monte Vista overpass pillar, according to the Idaho State Police.
The driver, who was wearing a seat belt, was transported to a local hospital by ambulance but succumbed to his injuries. The man’s identity has not yet been released. The crash blocked two of the three northbound lanes of I-15 for approximately three hours.
Spencer Crash – Thursday, 5:10 p.m.
Another deadly crash occurred on Thursday evening north of Spencer. A 1996 Dodge van traveling southbound with a 77-year-old woman driver and a 76-year-old male passenger from Lethbridge, Canada, lost control and entered the median. The van overturned and came to rest in the northbound left lane.
The driver, who was wearing a seat belt, survived and was transported to a hospital for treatment. Tragically, the passenger was not wearing a seat belt and died at the scene. The crash blocked the left northbound lane for about four hours, with the Idaho State Police, Clark County Sheriff’s Office, and Clark County EMS responding to the scene.
Fort Hall Crash – Tuesday, 8:05 a.m.
The first crash in the deadly series occurred on Tuesday morning near Fort Hall. A Peterbilt semi-truck collided with a Ford F450 flatbed pickup traveling northbound on I-15. The force of the collision caused the pickup to leave the freeway and overturn.
Tragically, both occupants of the Ford — driver Manuel Rodriguez-Baltazar, 42, and passenger Raul Navarrete, 44, both from Rupert — were not wearing seat belts and died at the scene. The 75-year-old semi-truck driver from McCammon, who was wearing a seat belt, was unharmed. The collision periodically blocked northbound traffic for more than two hours.
Ongoing Investigations
Idaho State Police continue to investigate all three crashes to determine the precise causes. Speed, seat belt use, and vehicle handling appear to have been contributing factors, particularly in the cases involving overturned vehicles.
Community Impact and Safety Reminder
The spate of crashes has deeply affected the East Idaho community, highlighting the dangers of high-speed travel, distracted driving, and the importance of seat belt use. Authorities remind motorists to remain vigilant on highways, especially in areas prone to congestion or inclement conditions.
As the investigations continue, the Idaho State Police urge anyone with information about these crashes to contact their local office.
This tragic week serves as a sobering reminder of the fragility of life on the road. Our thoughts are with the families of Dylan Millhouse, Manuel Rodriguez-Baltazar, Raul Navarrete, and the unidentified 76-year-old passenger during this difficult time.
