Idaho State Police are investigating a series of collisions on U.S. Highway 20 near Idaho Falls that resulted in one person being transported to a hospital, according to reports from eastidahonews.com.
The incident chain began Thursday when a 25-year-old man from Rigby lost control of his 2017 Audi A4 while traveling in the eastbound lanes. The vehicle departed the roadway near mile marker 313, breached a fence, and came to rest close to nearby railroad tracks. Emergency responders secured the scene and called for a tow truck to remove the damaged sedan.
While crews were still attending to the first crash, a second collision occurred in the vicinity. A 34-year-old woman from Rexburg, driving a 2020 GMC Acadia, slowed down as she approached the emergency scene. Behind her, a 68-year-old Idaho Falls resident operating a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee failed to stop and rear-ended the GMC.
The impact injured the driver of the GMC Acadia, who was transported by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment. Authorities did not release details regarding the severity of her injuries. The drivers of both the Audi and the Jeep were not reported to have sustained serious harm requiring transport.
State police confirmed that all three motorists involved in the separate crashes were wearing seatbelts at the time of their respective incidents. Investigators are reviewing the circumstances surrounding both collisions to determine contributing factors.
The series of accidents caused significant disruption on a major thoroughfare connecting eastern Idaho communities. US Highway 20 serves as a critical east-west corridor, linking Boise with Pocatello and points further east toward Wyoming. Incidents involving multiple vehicles often require extended lane closures while emergency personnel ensure scene safety and clear debris.
Motorists in the region are reminded to maintain safe following distances and exercise caution when approaching accident scenes or construction zones. Distracted driving and tailgating remain leading causes of rear-end collisions on state highways, according to traffic safety data from Idaho State Police.
This incident follows other recent traffic-related events in southeastern Idaho, including a fatal crash on Interstate 84 involving a Pocatello man who died after a medical emergency caused his vehicle to leave the road. That case highlighted the dangers of sudden health issues behind the wheel, prompting renewed calls for drivers to monitor their well-being before embarking on long trips.
Local law enforcement agencies continue to emphasize defensive driving practices as traffic volumes increase during the fall season. Drivers are encouraged to stay alert, obey speed limits, and allow extra space between vehicles when conditions warrant.