NEED TO KNOW
- Police released the names of the seven people killed in the two-vehicle crash near Yellowstone National Park on May 1
- The deceased included visitors from China and Italy
- Investigators determined that “the Dodge Ram pickup crossed the center line and collided with the eastbound Mercedes van”
Authorities have shared new details tied to the incident when seven people were killed after a tour van and a pickup truck crashed near Yellowstone National Park.
On Friday, May 16, the Idaho State Police (ISP) revealed the names and origin countries of the individuals who died in the May 1 crash, which happened just before 7:15 p.m. on U.S. Highway 20 near Henry’s Lake State Park — about 16 miles west of Yellowstone.
Police previously said the van was carrying 14 people, and the truck’s driver was alone. Six of the van passengers and the truck driver died.
The deceased ranged in ages from 28 to 71. They have been identified as 28-year-old Ivana Wen from Milan, Italy; 71-year-old Jianping Li from Guangxi, China; 66-year-old Xiaoming Jiang from Guilin in the Guangxi Province of China; 64-year-old Li Nie and 53-year-old Aifeng Wan, both from Arcadia, Calif.; 30-year-old Yu Zhang of Eastvale, Calif., who was identified as the tour van’s driver; and 25-year-old Isaih Moreno of Humble, Texas, who was identified as the driver of the truck.
The ISP said that investigators determined, based on the initial evidence they gathered, that “the Dodge Ram pickup crossed the center line and collided with the eastbound Mercedes van.” Police added that the “reason for the pickup’s movement” is still under investigation, and investigators are doing “crash reconstruction and additional testing.”
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In a statement, Idaho State Police Captain Chris Weadick said authorities were “deeply grateful” to a “passerby” who “stopped to help and Sheriff Bart Quayle and his deputies from Fremont County who responded immediately.” He added, “Their quick actions undoubtedly saved lives.”
“This is what law enforcement looks like in Idaho—we work together when it matters most,” Weadick continued. “We want to thank Fremont County EMS and Fire, many of whom are volunteers, for their quick deployment, arrival, and critical role in triaging and assisting the wounded. Their response made a significant difference in the immediate aftermath.”
“.Given the dynamic nature of the crash, the number of casualties, and the involvement of foreign nationals, this has been a highly complex investigation,” he also stated. “We appreciate the public’s patience and understanding as we’ve worked to confirm facts and provide verified information.”
Roger Merrill had been driving home and witnessed the scene shortly after the crash occurred, he told the Associated Press. He took a video of the collision’s aftermath, showing smoke covering the van and both vehicles engulfed in flames, and waited for first responders to arrive as bystanders attempted to care for the victims.
“It is a very dangerous highway because it leads to the main entrance of Yellowstone National Park. It’s extremely busy,” he said, adding, “It took an unnervingly long time for help to arrive just because of the location.”
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