Family releases name of 83-year-old woman involved in fatal accident
Published at | Updated at
IDAHO FALLS — Family members have confirmed the identity of an Idaho Falls woman who died prior to or during a crash on 17th Street on Sunday.
Laura Adams, 83, was pronounced dead at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center after being transported from the scene of a three-car accident near Juniper Drive.
Adams’ daughter, Lori Wickham, tells EastIdahoNews.com her mother was driving home from church Sunday when the accident happened.
“Normally she walks to church. She walks everywhere. Sometimes she walks miles a day,” Wickham said. “It is abnormal that she drove that day, but she was healthy and vibrant. There was no indication in any way that she should not be behind the wheel.”
Idaho Falls Police say that based on witness accounts and evidence, a gray 2012 Silver Nissan Sentra, driven by Adams, was westbound on 17th Street. The car crossed over into the eastbound lanes near 17th and St. Clair Road.
Witnesses told EastIdahoNews.com that Adams was hunched down in the drivers seat before the accident occurred.
The car continued to travel west in the eastbound outside lane before striking a blue 2005 GMC Sierra truck traveling east at 17th and Juniper. The impact caused the truck to spin about 90 degrees to the right and collide with a red 2008 Ford Focus also traveling east, according to a news release.
Idaho Falls police are uncertain if Adams died as a result of the crash, according to a police news release. Results from an autopsy performed Monday morning are pending.
Wickham believes her mother suffered from a medical issue prior to the crash.
“She must of had a heart attack or a stroke — we don’t know,” she said. “I’m completely heartbroken about those who were hurt in this accident. It would absolutely break my mothers heart to know she had hurt someone.”
In addition to Adams, the truck driver, a 67‐year‐old Idaho Falls man, and his passenger, a 65‐year‐old Idaho Falls woman, were transported by ambulance to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. The driver of the Ford Focus, a 21‐year‐old Oregon woman, was treated and released at the scene, according to a news release from police.
Idaho Falls police have not confirmed the names of anyone involved in the crash.
Wickham tells EastIdahoNews.com that Adams had a passion for gardening and spent hours of her day weeding and tending to her flowers. Adams was known for dropping her flowers off at retirement homes and to friends of hers who needed their day brightened.
“There were several times Miss Adams would yell over inviting us to see all her bird feeders,” one neighbor tells EastIdahoNews.com. “She loved to garden, and she loved to share the beauty with everyone.”