Idaho police say truck crossed line before causing deadly tour van collision near Yellowstone National Park

The pickup truck that collided with a tour van near Yellowstone National Park last week is to blame for the crash which left seven people dead according to police Idaho State Police explained a Dodge Ram pickup truck crossed the center line on Highway near Henry's Lake State Park and hit the Mercedes tour van causing both vehicles to burst into flames It is unclear what caused the truck to leave its lane Crash reconstruction is ongoing and ISP troopers are working to determine all contributing factors state police declared on Tuesday The driver of the truck and six of the people inside the tour van died in the crash police stated TOUR VAN CRASH NEAR YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK LEAVES DEAD POLICE SAYIn addition to Idaho State Police the National Transportation Safety Board is also researching the crash since it involved a commercial automobile NTSB personnel have visited the scene and are reviewing evidence While information is being shared between ISP and the NTSB each agency is conducting its own analysis the ISP commented Idaho state troopers responded to the tragic scene at around p m on Thursday which took place approximately miles west of Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming DRIVER SUDDENLY STOPS IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY CAUSES MULTI-CAR CRASH THEN LEAVES VIDEO Roger Merrill a -year-old man who was driving home when he saw the vehicles on fire communicated The Associated Press that bystanders were caring for the van survivors on the side of the highway until first responders arrived It took an unnervingly long time for help to arrive just because of the location Merrill mentioned He also noted he frequently sees tourist vans on Highway as it leads to Yellowstone National Park We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those lost in this tragedy ISP Sgt Blake Higley stated We are incredibly grateful to the passersby who stopped to help and to the first responders whose quick actions and teamwork aided those in critical need This was a challenging and emotional scene for everyone involved The highway was closed for almost seven hours while first responders and the Idaho Transportation Department managed the scene and cleared the roadway