Idaho Falls Siblings Lose Both Their Cars Following A Hit-and-run Crash

IDAHO FALLS — A hit-and-run incident early Monday morning resulted in two cars belonging to two Skyline High School siblings being totaled.

Justin Martin, father of Mason and Delila Martin, who own the two cars, told EastIdahoNews.com the family was awoken at 2 a.m. to the sound of a car crash outside their residence near the 1000 block of North Boulevard.

“We had jumped out of bed, and we looked out the window, and the person was backing out and left the scene,” Martin said. “Our daughter’s car was completely totaled and our son’s car is most likely totaled as well.”

Idaho Falls Police spokeswoman told EastIdahoNews.com a possible suspect has been identified, but no arrests have been made.

The damaged 2009 Chevrolet Malibu and a 2012 Mazda 3 damaged after a hit and run Monday morning. | Courtesy Justin Martin — A 2009 Chevrolet Malibu and a 2012 Mazda 3 damaged after a hit and run Monday morning. | Courtesy Justin Martin

Martin said the two cars were bought and paid for by Mason and Delila, who work full-time at the Grand Teton Mall. He said both children bought their cars last year and paid to have them wrapped in different colors.

“That’s probably the most heart-sickening thing is that they work so hard to buy their cars, and then, you know, this happens,” Justin said.

Delila said she and her brother bought their cars because they were involved in sports, attending school, and working. She is a part of Skyline’s swim team and Mason is on the school’s varsity soccer team.

“We are always going in different directions, which is why we both need a car,” Delila said.

Delila drove a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu wrapped in hot pink, explaining that she chose this color because Barbie doll resides in Malibu, California. Mason owned a 2012 grey Mazda 3.

“The second I heard it was my car, I started crying because I worked hard for it,” Delila said.

Delila hopes the insurance will be able to compensate her to help purchase another car, but she may need to use the money she saved for cosmetology school to help pay for the car.

Martin said they are working with law enforcement and their insurance on their next steps, but given that school starts on Thursday, it’ll take some juggling to get them to where they need to go.

He hopes people who go out at night use this as a reminder to make wise decisions as he and his family try to get their lives back on track.

“Don’t be dumb,” Martin said.