One Killed in Semi Rollover Crash on Interstate 15 in Pocatello, Idaho
Fatal Crash Shuts Down Northbound Lanes on I-15 in South Pocatello
POCATELLO, Idaho — One person is dead following a semi-truck crash Thursday afternoon on Interstate 15 in south Pocatello, according to authorities. The collision occurred at 1:11 p.m. near mile marker 63 and resulted in the partial closure of northbound lanes for several hours as towing crews worked to clear the scene.
A 2020 Volvo tractor-trailer traveling northbound on I-15 veered off the right shoulder for reasons that remain under investigation, struck a hillside, overturned, and came to rest atop a guardrail. The driver — a 63-year-old man from Layton, Utah — was wearing a seatbelt but succumbed to his injuries at the scene. He was the only person involved in the crash.
The name of the victim has not yet been released. The Bannock County Coroner’s Office is expected to announce his identity once next of kin have been properly notified.
Traffic Diverted Through Inkom as Crews Work to Clear Scene
In the immediate aftermath of the crash, the right northbound lane of Interstate 15 was blocked, prompting Idaho State Police to take additional traffic management measures. Authorities temporarily diverted all northbound traffic off the interstate at the Inkom exit, allowing towing crews a safe working environment to flip the overturned semi back onto its wheels and remove the wreckage from the roadway.
The traffic disruption stretched into the evening hours. The left northbound lane was reopened around 7:30 p.m., with the right northbound lane following at approximately 8:30 p.m. — more than seven hours after the initial crash.
The Inkom exit, located just south of Pocatello along I-15, served as a critical diversion point, funneling commercial and passenger traffic off the highway while emergency and recovery crews operated at the scene. The stretch of I-15 near Pocatello is a major freight corridor connecting southern Idaho with the Treasure Valley and points north, making any extended closure a significant disruption for commercial haulers and travelers alike.
The cause of the crash — specifically why the northbound semi drifted off the right shoulder — has not been determined. Idaho State Police are continuing their investigation.
Crash Highlights Dangers Facing Commercial Drivers on Idaho Highways
Thursday’s fatal crash is a stark reminder of the hazards present on Idaho’s major interstate corridors, particularly for commercial drivers operating heavy vehicles along routes like I-15. Southeast Idaho sees substantial truck traffic year-round, with semi-trucks hauling agricultural products, industrial goods, and freight through Bannock County daily.
Single-vehicle semi crashes — in which the truck leaves the roadway without a collision with another vehicle — can result from a range of factors including driver fatigue, mechanical failure, distraction, or sudden medical events. Investigators have not indicated which, if any, of these factors may have played a role in Thursday’s incident.
First responders, law enforcement, and towing crews all played a critical role in managing the scene safely and restoring traffic flow. Pocatello’s 911 dispatchers, often unseen by the public, are central to coordinating that rapid response when crashes like this occur on major highways through the region.
Thursday’s crash is not an isolated event on Idaho’s interstates. A separate semi crash earlier this year near Heyburn also blocked lanes after a tractor-trailer struck a concrete barrier, underscoring the ongoing safety challenges facing commercial trucking on Idaho’s highway system.
What Comes Next
The Bannock County Coroner’s Office is expected to release the name of the deceased driver once family members have been notified. Idaho State Police will continue investigating the cause of the crash, and a final report is anticipated as the inquiry concludes. Motorists traveling I-15 through south Pocatello are encouraged to remain alert and follow posted speed limits, particularly in areas where the highway passes near hillsides and guardrail-protected shoulders. Additional updates will be reported as they become available.