Idaho State Police Release New Details on Fatal Semi-Truck Rollover on I-15 Near Pocatello
63-Year-Old Utah Man Dies After Semi Leaves Roadway on Northbound I-15
A 63-year-old man from Layton, Utah, was killed Thursday afternoon when the semi-truck he was driving left the roadway and rolled over on northbound Interstate 15 near Pocatello, Idaho, according to the Idaho State Police.
The crash occurred at approximately 1:10 p.m. at mile marker 63, near the Portneuf Area exit. Investigators say the man was operating a 2020 Volvo tractor when, for reasons that remain unknown, the vehicle departed the right shoulder, struck a hillside, overturned, and came to rest on top of a guardrail. The driver was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash but was pronounced dead at the scene.
Idaho State Police believe the semi-truck was the only vehicle involved in the crash. The right lane of northbound I-15 remained blocked following the incident as investigators worked to process the scene and coordinate removal of the commercial vehicle. Authorities indicated the lane closure could extend into the evening hours.
This fatal crash is one of several serious commercial vehicle incidents that have recently drawn attention to the stretch of I-15 running through and around Bannock County. A driver was also killed in a separate semi-truck rollover on I-15 south of Pocatello, raising continued concerns about commercial vehicle safety along the corridor.
Multiple Agencies Respond to Scene as Investigation Continues
The response to Thursday’s crash involved a significant mobilization of local and state emergency resources. The Bannock County Sheriff’s Office, the Bannock County Coroner’s Office, Bannock County Search and Rescue, and multiple EMS agencies all assisted Idaho State Police at the scene.
ISP spokesman Todd Orr addressed the public during the initial response, urging motorists to exercise caution in the area. “People (should) make sure they slow down. Be careful about the emergency responders and recovery vehicles. (They’re) are going to be out there for the next little while,” Orr said.
Orr confirmed in the early afternoon that one person had died in the crash and that ISP believed the semi-truck to be the sole vehicle involved. Authorities asked drivers to avoid the area while the investigation and recovery efforts continued.
The crash remains under active investigation by Idaho State Police. No additional details regarding the cause of the crash or the victim’s identity beyond his age and city of residence had been released as of Thursday evening.
Travelers in the area are encouraged to check current road conditions and lane closure updates through the Idaho 511 system at 511.idaho.gov before heading out, particularly along the I-15 corridor through Bannock County and Southeast Idaho.
The coordination of emergency services in incidents like this also puts a spotlight on the critical role played by public safety dispatchers behind the scenes. Pocatello 911 dispatchers have previously spoken about the demands and rewards of managing large-scale emergency responses, often serving as the first point of contact when crashes like this are reported.
What Comes Next
Idaho State Police will continue their investigation into the cause of the crash at mile marker 63 on northbound I-15. Investigators will work to determine what led the 2020 Volvo tractor to leave the roadway and whether any mechanical or environmental factors contributed to the rollover. The Bannock County Coroner’s Office is expected to conduct standard post-incident procedures. Officials have not indicated a timeline for the release of further findings. Bannock County News will continue to follow this story as additional details are made available by Idaho State Police. For the latest road conditions in Southeast Idaho, visit 511.idaho.gov.