Local student in good condition after breaking neck in Malad crash
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MALAD CITY — A young woman who was severely injured in a crash in Malad Pass this weekend is going to be fine, her mother tells EastIdahoNews.com.
Kaylie Ninalga, a cosmetology student living in Rexburg, remained at Intermountain Medical Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, but her condition is improving.
“Kaylie broke her neck and has a bleed in her head,” said Andrea Auger, Ninalga’s mother. “(But) no other injuries at all. Just bruised up. Complete miracle for sure!”
The 20-year-old student was traveling on Interstate 15 from Rexburg to Roy, Utah, to visit family on Sunday, March 6. At about 6 p.m. she entered the Malad Pass and road conditions began to deteriorate.
“It had been raining, roads were wet, and it was starting to get cold,” Idaho State Police Cpl. Robert Christiansen said.
Ninalga lost control in the southbound lane, crossed the median and hit a northbound vehicle, driven by Timothy Kaser, who was unable to avoid the collision. Police say all drivers and passengers involved were wearing seat belts, and air bags were deployed.
Emergency personnel responded to the two-vehicle accident. Ninalga was transported by ground ambulance to Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello. She was then flown to Intermountain Medical Center in Salt Lake City.
Kaser and three others who were hurt, were transported to the Oneida County Hospital in Malad City.
Two life flights were originally called to assist at the scene, but were unable to complete the trip due to weather conditions.
At least two other accidents occurred between the Downey and Malad Summit areas that evening, police said.
Shortly after Ninalga’s accident, traffic was reduced to one lane. Drivers approaching the accident were forced to slow down unexpectedly, which resulted in one rear-end crash. No one was injured in that accident.
While troopers investigated the crash, a single-vehicle rollover occurred five miles to the north. The driver was hospitalized. No further information on that crash is available.
Ninalga is expected to be released from the hospital in the next few days, Auger tells EastIdahoNews.com.
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