Victim’s name released in Monday’s fatal accident
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The following is a news release from the Idaho Falls Police Department.
IDAHO FALLS — On Monday, emergency crews responded to a vehicle accident at 17th Street and Yellowstone Avenue in Idaho Falls.
A Toyota truck driven by 87-year-old Richard Lee Starnes of Idaho Falls was traveling northbound on Yellowstone Avenue when he went through a red light, colliding with a white GMC truck traveling westbound on 17th Street/Pancheri Drive.
Starnes and his spouse, who was the passenger in the Toyota truck, were extricated from the vehicle. They were both transported to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center where Richard Lee Starnes passed away. His spouse was admitted with non-life-threatening injuries. The family has been notified.
Preliminary investigation suggests that Richard Starnes had a medical episode, as witnesses reported that he appeared to be slumped over the steering wheel prior to entering the intersection.
The male driver of the GMC truck had no injuries and was released at the scene.
Traffic at the intersection was diverted following the accident to allow the Idaho Falls Police Department to reconstruct the accident and clean up debris.
The accident is still under investigation.