A chain-reaction crash on U.S. Highway 26 east of Idaho Falls sent two people to the hospital Tuesday morning after a driver failed to yield for a stopped school bus that had its warning lights activated, Idaho State Police reported.
The collision occurred at approximately 6:48 a.m. near North 45th East. A 32-year-old Ririe woman operating a 2017 Chevrolet Traverse westbound on the highway struck the rear of a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado that had come to a stop for the bus, which was in the process of picking up children. The impact shoved the Silverado forward into the back of the school bus, driven by a 43-year-old Idaho Falls woman.
Both drivers involved in the initial collision — the woman behind the wheel of the Traverse and the 42-year-old Idaho Falls man driving the Silverado — were transported by ambulance to a local hospital. Their names and conditions had not been publicly released as of Tuesday. State police confirmed all occupants in the vehicles were wearing seatbelts.
No children aboard the bus were injured.
Road Closure and Emergency Response
The wreck closed a stretch of Highway 26 for roughly two hours following the crash. Multiple agencies responded to the scene, including the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, Idaho Falls Police Department, Idaho Falls Fire Department, and the Idaho Transportation Department.
Idaho law requires drivers to stop when a school bus has its red lights flashing and a stop arm extended, regardless of direction of travel on undivided roads. Failure to comply can result in significant fines and license penalties under state statute.
A Reminder of School Bus Safety Laws
Crashes involving school buses remain a concern across East Idaho, particularly during early morning pickup hours when buses operate on rural highways and collector roads in low-light conditions. Tuesday’s crash is a reminder that compliance with school bus stopping laws is not only a legal obligation but a critical safety measure for children boarding and departing buses along roadways like Highway 26.
As Bonneville County continues to see population growth and increased traffic volume on its highway corridors, transportation safety advocates have urged drivers to remain alert to flashing school bus signals, especially during the morning commute window.
For broader coverage of education-related news in Bonneville County, including a recent look at how a national school choice super PAC has been targeting legislative challengers in Idaho, visit Bonneville County News. Additional statewide news and policy coverage can be found at Idaho News.
What Comes Next
Idaho State Police are continuing their investigation into the crash. It had not been confirmed by Tuesday afternoon whether citations or charges had been issued against the driver who failed to stop for the bus. Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact Idaho State Police or the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office.