Irwin, ID (July 20, 2026) – A 27-year-old man riding in the bed of a pickup truck was seriously injured after a rear-end collision on Saturday, July 18, at night on U.S. Highway 26 near Palisades Reservoir in Irwin. Emergency crews responded to the crash at approximately 10 p.m.
According to the Idaho State Police, a 2006 GMC Sierra was traveling eastbound with three occupants, including a 27-year-old man riding in the truck bed. A 2023 Tesla Model S, also traveling eastbound, struck the rear of the pickup.
The Tesla came to rest on the eastbound shoulder, while the GMC stopped in the eastbound travel lanes. The man riding in the bed of the pickup was airlifted by medical helicopter to a local hospital for treatment. Authorities have not released an update on his condition.
The drivers of both vehicles and the passenger inside the pickup were not reported to have sustained serious injuries. Officials have not released the names of those involved.
The crash forced the closure of Highway 26 for approximately three and a half hours while emergency crews responded and investigators documented the scene. The Idaho State Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision.
We are thinking of the injured man and wish him a full recovery.
Why Riding in a Pickup Truck Bed Increases Injury Risks?
Occupants riding in the open bed of a pickup truck have significantly less protection than those seated inside the vehicle. During a collision, they can be thrown against the truck, ejected from the vehicle, or struck by cargo or other objects, greatly increasing the risk of serious injury.
Rear-end collisions require investigators to examine following distance, vehicle speed, braking evidence, and driver attention leading up to the impact. Damage to both vehicles, roadway evidence, and any available electronic data may also help reconstruct how the crash occurred.
When severe injuries are reported, air medical transport may be used to quickly transfer patients to trauma centers capable of providing specialized treatment. Investigators continue reviewing all available evidence before determining the factors that contributed to the collision.
