A deadly collision near Yellowstone National Park between a Dodge Ram pickup and a Mercedes van has resulted in seven fatalities. Idaho State Police have concluded that the pickup veered over the center line on U.S. Highway 20, hitting the van transporting international tourists.
The incident 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. Both vehicles caught fire after the collision, complicating rescue operations in the remote area.
Those who died include 25-year-old Isaih Moreno from Humble, Texas, the driver of the pickup, and six passengers from the tour van managed by Ctour Holiday LLC. Among the deceased were five Chinese nationals and one Italian tourist, with eight others in the van injured.
The van had 14 passengers, including 12 Chinese citizens, one Italian citizen, and a driver licensed in California.
Due to the crash’s severity and the 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 is expected to be lengthy.
Medical responders airlifted three critically injured individuals—one to Bozeman, Montana, and two to Idaho Falls, Idaho. The remaining survivors, who had non-life-threatening injuries, were transported by ground ambulance. Hospital records indicate that five survivors were treated and later discharged.
A witness who arrived shortly after the collision noted extensive damage to both vehicles. The fire reportedly did not start immediately but began about 10-15 minutes following the impact. Bystanders and a Fremont County sheriff’s deputy arriving soon after the crash assisted the injured before the van was engulfed in flames.
The remote location of the crash site delayed emergency service arrival, posing additional challenges for first responders.
The precise reason for the pickup crossing the center line is still under investigation. State police are conducting a crash reconstruction to identify all contributing factors. Given the involvement of a commercial vehicle and the crash’s severity, the National Transportation Safety Board has joined the investigation, with each agency conducting its own inquiry.
Idaho Governor Brad Little stated that the state is collaborating with local officials to establish what led to the incident.
Ctour Holiday LLC offered condolences and indicated cooperation with the investigation, stating: “Ctour Holiday is saddened by the loss of life and injuries suffered in this terrible accident. Ctour Holiday is continuing to work with the families as well as the investigating authorities regarding this accident.”
The Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco confirmed the deaths of the five Chinese nationals and the eight injured. The consulate activated its emergency mechanism to provide consular protection and assistance to the injured and the victims’ families.
The Idaho Transportation Department had previously identified this highway section for safety improvements to reduce crash severity, though the project remained in the research and planning stages. Data from 2023 showed approximately 10,500 vehicles used this highway portion daily.
The accident led to the highway’s closure for nearly seven hours while emergency personnel dealt with the scene and cleared the roadway.
Tourism data reveals 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 annually.