I-15 crash kills 1, closes 1 lane

One person is dead after a crash on Interstate 15 near Fort Hall.

Idaho State Police troopers said an uncontrolled burn along the side of I-15 was causing heavy amounts of smoke to drift into traffic. Drivers began to slow down to pass through that area safely, ISP said.

Maxine T. Cushman, 93 of Blackfoot was driving a 2002 Honda Odyssey. She did not see the traffic in front of her slowing down and slammed into the back of a 2012 Ford F250 being driven by Rex J. Higley, 59 of Heyburn, ISP said.

Cushman was killed in the crash, ISP said. She did not have any passengers in the van. Higley and his passenger, Lisa A. Higley, 47, also of Heyburn, were not injured in the crash. All three were wearing their seatbelts.

One northbound lane of I-15 was closed for several hours while ISP continued to investigate the crash. Traffic was extremely heavy in the area. At one point, it was backed up for at least one mile.