An update on the fatal bus crash near Yellowstone National Park, which occurred on May 1, 2025, reveals significant new information regarding the driver’s blood alcohol level.
Details of the Crash: The collision involved a Dodge Ram pickup truck and a Mercedes tour van carrying 14 people. The crash happened on U.S. Highway 20 in eastern Idaho, near Henry’s Lake, about 16 miles west of Yellowstone National Park. Both vehicles caught fire. The incident resulted in seven fatalities: the driver of the pickup truck and six individuals from the tour van, who were from China, Italy, and California. Several survivors were taken to nearby hospitals with injuries.
New Information on Driver’s Blood Alcohol Level: Idaho State Police have confirmed that the driver of the pickup truck had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.20%. This is more than twice the legal limit for driving, which is 0.08%.
Investigators determined that the vehicle crossed the center line, leading to the head-on collision with the tour van. Police Captain Chris Weadick stated that this tragedy should serve as a “wake-up call” about the consequences of impaired driving.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is also conducting an independent investigation due to the involvement of a commercial vehicle and the severity of the crash.
