Pickup truck driver saves elderly man from burning car along US 26

UPDATE: All lanes are now reopened, and the incident has been cleared as of 2:50 p.m.

POPLAR, Idaho — Quick action by a pickup truck driver saved an elderly driver after his car burst into flames along U.S. Highway 26 in Bonneville County on Monday afternoon.

Emergency crews responded around 1:55 p.m. to reports of a fully engulfed vehicle fire near mile marker 360, just west of Poplar.

According to Swan Valley Fire Chief Travis Crystal, the elderly man was driving along US-26 when his car caught fire. A pickup driver traveling in the opposite direction noticed smoke pouring from the car and immediately flipped around to help.

The bystander spotted the elderly driver still trapped inside the cab. He pulled the man to safety moments before the vehicle became completely consumed by flames.

Firefighters with the Central Fire District worked to extinguish the blaze. The incident temporarily forced a total shutdown of the highway, but the Idaho State Police have confirmed that one lane has since reopened.

Drivers traveling through the area should expect delays.

This is a developing story. Local News 8 will provide additional updates as we learn new information from ISP.