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Idaho highway remains closed after multi-vehicle crash; 33 injured

Posted at 10:50 AM, Jan 16, 2020
and last updated 2020-01-16 12:50:22-05

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — An eastern Idaho highway will remain closed as law enforcement works to clean up spilled diesel fuel from a multi-vehicle crash Wednesday that left 33 people injured, police said.

The U.S. Highway 20 crash involved a bus carrying thirty Idaho National Laboratory employees.

A fuel tanker, two government vehicles, and two private vehicles were also involved in the crash, authorities said.

Thirty-three people were transported to the Central Facilities Area Medical Dispensary -- and all injuries appeared to be minor and not life-threatening, INL officials said.

The crash happened after Brenda Deans, 64, stopped while traveling west on the highway in an area of low visibility and Miles Muir, 34, driving the bus and stopped behind her, Idaho State Police said.

David Taylor, 62, was driving a semi-truck hauling a diesel fuel tanker and was unable to stop, striking the bus, which struck Deans’ car, authorities said.

The fuel tank was punctured and spilled about 3,000 gallons of diesel fuel.

The Idaho State Police are investigating the crash.

Transportation officials recommend traffic between Idaho Falls and Arco take Interstate 15 down to Blackfoot, then U.S. Highway 26 northwest to Arco.

(photo courtesy Idaho State Police)