LDS missionary dies after crash
A missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who was in a car crash near Rockford died Friday, Portneuf Medical Center said.
The hospital did not release further details.
The Bannock County coroner earlier told Local News 8 that after Tuesday’s accident, Taylor Ward, 19, of Vacaville, Calif., was on life support and was clinically brain dead.
Ward was riding in the passenger seat of a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze driven by John Floyd, 20, of Deep Run, N.C.
Idaho State Police said Floyd failed to yield from a stop sign at the intersection of State Highway 39 and 100 South in Bingham County.The Cruze was struck on the passenger side by a southbound 2010 Ford F350 driven by Joshua Morris, 23, of Blackfoot.
Ward was taken to Portneuf Medical Center.
Floyd was taken to Bingham Memorial Hospital for treatment. Church spokesman Eric Hawkins said Floyd’s injuries were minor and he was released from the hospital Wednesday morning.
Morris was not seriously hurt.
According to members of the LDS church in Ward’s hometown, Ward was working to become a professional hockey player. He quit playing to serve his mission.
“Every member of the Church feels the loss of a missionary,” said Hawkins. “We are deeply saddened, and share with his family, friends and fellow missionaries in their grief. We extend to them our love, our prayers and our deepest sympathy.”
