Drunk driving crash puts man and teen in hospital, deputies say

Both the adult and the teen were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. | Photo: Courtesy Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office. Video: Courtesy Tony Blakeslee

IDAHO FALLS — A man and a teenage boy were hospitalized Monday night after a drunk driving crash, deputies say.

According to a release from the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded at 11 p.m. Monday night to a two-vehicle injury crash on North Ammon Road near Woodside Drive.

The two cars struck a utility pole, bringing down power lines and causing a power outage in the area.

Emergency personnel arrived and worked to extricate the drivers, both men, ages 32 and 16, who were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, says the release. No other occupants were in the vehicle.

Deputies say a 2008 Ford Fusion was speeding southbound on Ammon Road and struck a 1997 Honda Civic, also driving southbound. Deputies say the 32-year-old driver of the Ford had earlier been reported in Jefferson County as “possibly being intoxicated.” A blood sample was collected from the man to determine his level of impairment, but the results are not yet available.

Deputies say the investigation is ongoing, and that they believe alcohol and speed were factors in the crash. Power was restored to nearby neighborhoods by Rocky Mountain Power a few hours later.

“Alcohol related crashes are far too common throughout our area. Bonneville County deputies remind drivers to be responsible and avoid getting behind the wheel if they’ve been drinking or using intoxicating substances,” says the release. “If you suspect an intoxicated driver, be a good witness and call your local law enforcement dispatch and report it so deputies or officers can try to intervene before tragedy strikes.”