6/24/2015
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Both northbound lanes of I-15 now open
BOISE - The northbound lanes of Interstate 15 reopened today (Wednesday, June 24) at approximately 1:35 p.m. after being closed since this morning in the aftermath of a pedestrian versus vehicle
fatal crash at milepost 89 near Blackfoot.
ISP reports that a pedestrian was walking in the right lane of northbound I-15. At the same time, Edward Kinney Jr., 59, of Pocatello, was driving northbound in a 2015 Kenworth hauling two fuel tankers.
Kinney swerved left to try to avoid hitting the pedestrian, but was unsuccessful. The vehicle drove along the left shoulder, where the rear trailer flipped and caught on fire. Kinney drove the semi back across both lanes of travel onto the right shoulder, where he disconnected the Kenworth from the burning trailers. Kinney parked the vehicle on the right shoulder once he reached a safe distance.
The pedestrian died of the injuries at the scene of the crash.
The northbound lanes were blocked while the crash was investigated, and Idaho Transportation Department crews assessed damage to the highway surface caused by extreme heat from the resulting fire and leaking diesel.