BANNOCK COUNTY, Idaho — Officials have released the identities of the two people killed in a head-on collision Saturday afternoon in southern Idaho. The Bannock County Coroner’s Office confirmed Maria Garcia, a 53-year-old Hyrum woman, and Ivan McCracken, an 86-year-old Preston man, both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Idaho State Police Lt. Mike Winans said investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the crash. Additional evidence from the scene has yet to pinpoint what exactly happened.
Originally, police reported Garcia was the passenger of a 2012 Nissan going southbound on US-91, Feb. 24. The crash occurred near mile post 24, south of Swanlake.
Winans said, an eye witness told investigators that at approximately 3:41 p.m., McCracken was driving northbound when his 2003 Buick crossed over the center line and collided head-on with the Nissan. However, upon further evidence and discussions with the witness, investigators are now looking at whether the Nissan crossed over and hit the Buick.
The driver of the Nissan, a 49-year-old man also from Hyrum, was transported via air ambulance to a local hospital. His condition has not been updated.
Winans said the dynamics of the crash scene were “pretty wild.” The lead investigator is hoping to obtain more information from the driver of the Nissan. It is unknown yet if distraction or impairment were factors in the accident.
According to police, both occupants of the Nissan were wearing seatbelts. It is unknown if McCracken was wearing a seatbelt.
It took emergency personnel five hours to clear the crash scene. A section of US-91 was blocked during that time.
Winans was unsure when additional information would be released. The crash remains under investigation.