Freight truck crash on US 20 caused by blown tire
Published at | Updated at
UPDATE:
The following is a news release from the Idaho State Police.
Idaho State Police are investigating a one-vehicle rollover crash on southbound U.S. Highway 20 at milepost 327.7, near Thornton.
The accident occurred at about 1:45 p.m. Saturday.
Amy L. Tonks, 39, of Idaho Falls, was driving northbound on US 20 in a 1999 Isuzu Truck when a tire blew. Tonks lost control of the vehicle, it went through the median and rolled, coming to rest on its top blocking both the southbound lanes.
Tonks and her passenger, Kevin G. Tonks, age 57, of Idaho Falls, were transported by ground ambulance to the Eastern Idaho Medical Center in Idaho Falls.
EIRMC spokeswoman Jessica Clements said Amy Tonks was treated and released, but Kevin Tonks is in critical condition at the hospital.
Both southbound lanes of US 20 were blocked for approximately an hour and a half. The left lane remained blocked for an additional hour and a half.
Madison County Sheriff’s Office and the Idaho Transportation Department assisted the Idaho State Police at the scene.
ORIGINAL STORY:
MADISON COUNTY — Emergency crews are on the scene and traffic is crawling after a freight truck rolled on U.S. Highway 20 Saturday afternoon, according to Idaho State Police dispatch.
The crash occurred south of the Thornton exit, near Bear World, in the southbound lanes around 1:45 p.m.
Idaho State Police and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office are on the scene. One witness tells EastIdahoNews.com the truck “is scattered all over and there is nothing left of it.”
It’s unknown how many people were in the truck and the extent of their injuries. The truck was the only vehicle involved in the crash.
Traffic has been at a standstill in the southbound lanes since the wreck occurred. Travelers are asked to use an alternate route if possible.
EastIdahoNews.com will update this story with new details when we receive them.
