A Saturday night crash on State Highway 36 west of Ovid, Idaho left three people injured and requiring airlift transport after a wheel separated from one vehicle and struck another head-on.
The collision happened at approximately 10:06 p.m. on July 11 near mile marker 32. According to Idaho State Police, who investigated the incident, a front wheel detached from a 2012 Jeep Wrangler operated by a 22-year-old Idaho Falls man. The wheel crossed into oncoming traffic and struck a 2016 Hyundai Elantra traveling in the opposite direction.
Three Occupants of Hyundai Transported by Air
The Hyundai was driven by a 21-year-old man from Lovell, Wyoming, who had two passengers — both 22-year-old women from Montpelier, Idaho. All three occupants of the Hyundai were initially transported by ground ambulance before being airlifted to a local hospital for treatment. The severity of their injuries was not immediately released.
The driver of the Jeep Wrangler was not reported among those requiring hospital transport. Idaho State Police were the investigating agency on scene.
Dangerous Stretch of Southeast Idaho Highway
State Highway 36 runs through Bear Lake County in Southeast Idaho, connecting communities in the region. Late-night travel on rural two-lane highways carries elevated risk, particularly when mechanical failures send debris into opposing lanes — leaving oncoming drivers with little to no time to react.
Southeast Idaho residents have faced a difficult stretch of public safety challenges in recent days. Earlier this week, the National Weather Service in Pocatello issued a Heat Advisory for the region as temperatures approached 101 degrees, prompting officials to urge residents to limit outdoor activity and stay hydrated during the dangerous conditions.
What Comes Next
Idaho State Police are continuing their investigation into the cause of the wheel separation on the Jeep Wrangler. Investigators will likely examine whether a mechanical defect, improper maintenance, or another factor contributed to the failure. The conditions of the three injured individuals had not been publicly confirmed as of Saturday night.
Motorists traveling State Highway 36 and other rural Southeast Idaho corridors are encouraged to ensure their vehicles are properly maintained before long drives, particularly at night when road hazards are harder to spot and emergency response times are longer. Anyone with information related to the crash is encouraged to contact Idaho State Police.