Update: I-15 Back Open After Serious Crash
Both lanes of Interstate 15 are back open after a serious crash south of Blackfoot.
Maria Gomez, 43, of Idaho Falls, was traveling north on I-15 in the left lane near milepost 92 when she encountered an Idaho Transportation Department vehicle on the left shoulder. The ITD vehicle was providing traffic control for a mower that was cutting weeds on the shoulder.
Gomez swerved to the right lane to avoid a collision with the pickup, Idaho State Police said. As Gomez went into the right lane she overcorrected to the left causing her to lose control of her vehicle.
Gomez slid off the road on the left shoulder and struck the back end of the mower being operated by ITD. When Gomez hit the mower it caused her vehicle to roll over into the median.
The interstate was closed for about twenty minutes while Portneuf Life Flight landed and took Gomez to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center with serious life-threatening injuries.
Gomez was seen using her cell phone just prior to the crash and was reported to be wearing her seatbelt, ISP said.
Alcohol is not believed to have been a factor. The crash is still under investigation.