2 incidents in 1 day on Highway 75
By Eric Valentine
Winter conditions haven’t really hit the Valley yet, but that hasn’t had much of an impact on keeping accidents at bay. Highway 75 was hit with two—somewhat uncommon—accidents last Friday, one involving an SUV and child pedestrian who suffered a broken femur.
An 8 a.m. accident the same day took place at Ohio Gulch Road along Highway 75. Blaine County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the traffic accident involving a Blaine County School District bus and a 2003 White Honda Odyssey minivan, which was witnessed by an on-duty Blaine County deputy. School district officials could not be reached before Tuesday’s press deadline.
Morning Accident
It was determined that the 2003 Honda was northbound on Highway 75 and being driven by Beverly Palomera, 31, of Bellevue. The van was also occupied by a passenger, Antoinette Cueto Diaz, 42, of Hailey. The driver of the school bus, Tonya Marshall, 31, of Bellevue, was attempting to turn south onto Highway 75 from Ohio Gulch Road. Marshall told deputies she failed to see the 2003 Honda as she turned south.
The 2003 Honda struck the driver’s-side front of the school bus, went airborne and landed on its roof. Both Palomera and Diaz were wearing seatbelts and were transported to St. Luke’s Wood River hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Marshall and six children on the school bus were uninjured. Marshall was cited for failure to yield from a stop sign.
Afternoon Accident
Around 4 p.m. the same day, Bellevue Deputy Marshal Mynde Heil received a call regarding a vehicle-pedestrian collision at Highway 75 (Main Street) and Pine in Bellevue. Heil said that a Tesla SUV heading northbound failed to stop, hitting a 13-year-old boy on a bicycle in the crosswalk, and breaking his femur.
Heil said the accident is still under investigation and could not comment further.
All of this, coincidentally, preceded the Idaho Transportation Department’s launching of its annual winter safety campaign—called “daho Ready”—to help drivers prepare for challenging conditions on the state’s highways. The campaign offers information via social media and a page on the department’’ website to help drivers arrive safely at their destinations.
“Short videos will present information on using Idaho’s 511 Traveler Information system as a resource before heading out on the highway, how to maintain your vehicle during winter months, and driving safely in winter conditions,” said Reed Hollinshead with ITD’s Office of Communication. “Important safety information will be posted regularly to Facebook, Twitter, and the ‘Idaho Ready’ web page. New information this year will address new drivers on Idaho roads—those who recently moved here or have recently been licensed.”