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D-4 Ports of Entry workers injured in three-vehicle crash

Two roving Ports of Entry employees from ITD’s District 4 escaped serious injury Wednesday when they were involved in a three-vehicle crash on U.S. 93 north of Jerome.

Preston Buckley was southbound in an ITD truck equipped with a utility box when he slowed for traffic on the snow-covered highway. He activated the truck’s warning lights to alert other motorists.

A 1998 Peterbilt semi truck, operated by Rodney Gilly, 53, of Twin Falls, was unable to stop in time and hit the back of the ITD vehicle. The impact spun Buckley’s truck around and into the oncoming lane where it hit a BMW sports utility vehicle and was hit a second time by the semi.

Buckley, 31, sustained minor injuries, including whiplash, bruises and imbedded glass. He was treated at the scene and sent home. Fellow ITD worker Dan Scholl, 43, was uninjured but also was sent home.

The BMW driver, Oliver Payne, 64, of Shoshone, and passenger Linda Payne were transported to St. Luke’s Magic Valley Medical Center. The latter was transported by air ambulance to St. Alphonsus Medical Center in Boise with serious injuries.

The ITD truck was heavily damaged in the crash that closed the highway for about three hours. The Idaho State Police continues to investigate, and no citations had been issued as of Wednesday night.