Authorities have released new information about the incident in which seven people were killed after a tour van and a pickup truck collided near Yellowstone National Park.
On Friday, May 16, the Idaho State Police (ISP) released the names and origin countries of those killed in the May 1 crash on U.S. Highway 20 near Henry’s Lake State Park, about 16 miles west of Yellowstone.
Police previously stated that the van was carrying 14 people and that the truck driver was alone. Six van passengers and the truck driver died.
The deceased ranged in age from 28 to 71. They have been identified as 28-year-old Ivana Wen from Milan, Italy; 71-year-old Jianping Li from Guangxi, China; 66-year-old Xiaoming Jiang from Guilin in the Guangxi Province of China; 64-year-old Li Nie and 53-year-old Aifeng Wan, both from Arcadia, Calif.; 30-year-old Yu Zhang of Eastvale, Calif., who was identified as the tour van’s driver; and 25-year-old Isaih Moreno of Humble, Texas, who was identified as the truck driver.
According to the ISP, investigators determined, based on preliminary evidence, that “the Dodge Ram pickup crossed the center line and collided with the eastbound Mercedes van.” Police said the “reason for the pickup’s movement” is still being investigated, and they are conducting “crash reconstruction and additional testing.”
In a statement, Idaho State Police Captain Chris Weadick stated that authorities were “deeply grateful” to a “passerby” who “stopped to help and Sheriff Bart Quayle and his deputies from Fremont County who responded immediately.” He continued: “Their quick actions undoubtedly saved lives.”
“This is what law enforcement looks like in Idaho—we work together when it matters most,” Weadick said. “We would like to thank Fremont County EMS and Fire, many of whom are volunteers, for their quick response, arrival, and critical role in triaging and assisting the injured. Their response had a significant impact in the immediate aftermath.
“.Given the dynamic nature of the crash, the number of casualties, and the involvement of foreign nationals, this has been a highly complex investigation,” he continued. “We appreciate the public’s patience and understanding as we have worked to confirm facts and provide verified information.”
According to the Associated Press, Roger Merrill was driving home when he witnessed the crash. He recorded a video of the aftermath of the collision, which showed smoke covering the van and both vehicles engulfed in flames, and waited for first responders to arrive while bystanders tried to care for the victims.
“It is a very dangerous highway because it leads to the main entrance to Yellowstone National Park. It is extremely busy,” he said, adding, “It took an unsettlingly long time for help to arrive simply due to the location.”