The Idaho State Police have released the names of six tourists who tragically lost their lives in a recent accident involving a pickup truck and a van near Yellowstone National Park.
The victims include Jian Shi, 56, and Xiaoming Jiang, 66, both from China, as well as Ivana Wen, 28, from Milan. Two other deceased individuals, Lee Nee, 64, and Eifen Wang, 53, were residents of Arcadia, California. Yu Zhang, a 30-year-old, who was driving the van, also perished in the crash.
The van was carrying 14 people in total. Out of the 13 passengers, 12 were Chinese nationals, and there was one Italian national. Unfortunately, the only survivor has been hospitalized due to injuries sustained in the crash.
The truck driver, Isaiah Moreno from Humble, Texas, also did not survive. Authorities stated that investigations revealed his Dodge Ram crossed the centerline, resulting in a collision with the Mercedes van driven by Zhang.
Police are still looking into the reasons behind why the truck veered into the opposite lane.
In addition to the collision, there were significant fires resulting from the crash, drawing emergency response efforts, including helicopters, to the scene on May 1.
This incident occurred on a highway that provides access between Yellowstone and the Teton area during the spring, before the park opens fully in the summer.
Yellowstone National Park, one of the largest national parks in the U.S., draws millions of visitors each year. It’s famous for its diverse wildlife, including more than 50 mammal species, and popular attractions like the Old Faithful geyser. While primarily located in Wyoming, the park also extends into parts of Montana and Idaho.
A visitor survey revealed that in 2016, 17% of those visiting Yellowstone were international travelers, with 34% coming from China and 11% from Italy.
