OVID, Idaho — Authorities have identified a 72-year-old Montpelier man who died Thursday evening following a head-on collision on U.S. Highway 89.
Bear Lake County Coroner Chad Walker identified the victim as Ricky Tueller.
The crash occurred shortly before 5 p.m. near Ovid. According to Idaho State Police, Tueller was driving a northbound GMC Savana when it collided with a southbound GMC Yukon driven by a local juvenile.
Tueller was pronounced dead at the scene. The juvenile driver, whose name has not been released, was transported by ground ambulance to a local hospital for treatment. Investigators noted that both drivers were wearing seat belts at the time of the accident.
In a social media post, Tueller’s wife, Julie Tueller said her heart is heavy with the loss, of the love of her life.
The collision forced the closure of U.S. 89 in both directions for approximately three hours as emergency crews from the Bear Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Fire Department, and Search and Rescue cleared the scene.
The Idaho State Police are continuing to investigate the cause of the crash.