A 25-year-old man from Pocatello was killed early Tuesday morning after running across northbound Interstate 15 in Idaho Falls and being struck by a commercial semi truck, according to Idaho State Police.
The collision occurred at approximately 5:30 a.m. on I-15 in the Idaho Falls area. The semi, a 2024 Volvo operated by a 28-year-old driver from Manitoba, Canada, struck the man as he attempted to cross the roadway. The truck driver made an effort to avoid the pedestrian but was unable to prevent the collision. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
The man’s identity has not been released pending family notification. The semi driver remained at the scene following the crash.
The incident forced authorities to close the northbound lanes of Interstate 15 for approximately five hours while emergency responders worked at the scene and investigators gathered evidence. Traffic in the area experienced significant delays during the closure.
Idaho State Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. Details regarding why the man was crossing the interstate at that hour have not been disclosed.
The fatality underscores ongoing safety concerns along Interstate 15 in Bonneville County. In a separate incident earlier this year, a local man and his dog died after a pickup truck left the roadway and struck a tree in the county, while quick-thinking bystanders assisted in rescuing a motorcyclist from an Ammon canal.
Drivers are reminded to exercise caution on Interstate 15 and to be aware of pedestrians, particularly during early morning hours when visibility may be reduced.
What Comes Next
Idaho State Police will continue their investigation and are expected to release additional details once the victim has been identified and next of kin have been notified. The agency may provide a further statement regarding the circumstances of the crash.