Man beaten to death in road rage incident in Idaho Falls
A man has died after an argument early Saturday morning that resulted in him being beaten unconscious.
Police are calling the incident road rage and said it happened between multiple people around 2 a.m. near 25th Street and Holmes Avenue.
Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center confirmed that Josh Olzak, a father of two, died Monday morning. EIRMC said he was kept on ventilators to preserve and harvest his organs for donation.
Olzak was with Josh Loveless early Saturday morning when the road rage began. Loveless told Local News 8 and KIDK Eyewitness News that three cars followed them after they left a bar in a vehicle.
Loveless said after they were almost ran off of the road, he and Olzak got out of the vehicle only to be beaten immediately for no apparent reason.
Loveless said he was able to follow what he thinks was a car involved. He got the license plate number and called police. The Idaho Falls Police Department said it hadn’t made any arrests as of Monday night.
Loveless underwent surgery on his jaw Monday afternoon with his wife, Amanda, by his side.
“I think there’s some maniacs out here in Idaho Falls,” said Amanda. “They need to be found, because neither of these Joshes go out looking for problems.”
If anyone knows anything about this incident call the Idaho Falls Police Department at (208) 529-1200.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Olzak’s family cover funeral and medical costs. If you’re interested in donating, click here.
UPDATEThe following release was sent out by Idaho Falls Police on Tuesday:
“The Idaho Falls Police Department is continuing an investigation into a road rage incident that occurred early Saturday morning at 25th Street and Holmes Avenue between multiple individuals and resulted in a 36-year-old Idaho Falls man being punched unconscious.
Due to the many variables regarding this case, the police department is releasing only few details about the incident and the investigation.
The department understands the desire from the public to know more information. We, too, would like to know more information, which is why we are doing all we can to thoroughly investigate this case to bring about the best resolution possible.
At this time investigators are interviewing multiple people and seeking to speak with anyone that has first-hand information regarding the incident.
The Idaho Falls Police Department is asking for public patience and understanding as we conduct this investigation.”
