Idaho Mountain Express: Collision south of Timmerman leaves 3 dead

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Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Collision south of Timmerman leaves 3 dead

Peruvian community shaken by tragic loss of members

This 1997 Buick Regal is hardly recognizable following a high-speed traffic accident last Friday on state Highway 75 south of Timmerman Hill. Three members of the Wood River Valley’s Peruvian community were killed in the accident. Photo by David N. Seelig

The Wood River Valley's Peruvian community was shaken on Friday when three of its members were killed in a high-speed traffic accident on state Highway 75 south of Timmerman Hill, in southern Blaine County.

Blaine County authorities initially withheld releasing the victims' names to make sure family here and in Peru were first notified. The sheriff's office identified them Monday as 38-year-old Dionicio Crispin Yauri, 37-year-old Eliana Maribel Bodadilla Moya and 21-year-old Mariela Bernadino Melchor.

All three were employed as restaurant workers in the Ketchum area. They were close friends and neighbors who lived in the Blue Haven residential area south of Ketchum.

Five other people were injured in the three-vehicle collision Friday at about 12:40 p.m. in the rolling hills some four miles south of Timmerman Hill. The sheriff's office reported that precise speeds at the time of the collision were not known but were likely close to the area's speed limit of 65 miles per hour.

Sheriff's Lt. Jay Davis said it is not known who was driving the vehicle occupied by the three Peruvians. All were thrown from the car following the collision and died at the scene of the crash. He said none were wearing seatbelts, but the other five injured people had their belts buckled.

Davis described the accident sequence at a Monday morning press briefing. He said Yauri, Moya and Melchor, traveling north in a black 1997 Buick Regal, were attempting to pass a northbound white Dodge Sprinter flatbed truck driven by Keith Lott, a 32-year-old Twin Falls man. Apparently fearing oncoming traffic, the Buick Regal cut back into the northbound lane too quickly and clipped the front end of the Dodge truck.

Davis said Lott momentarily lost control of the truck and hit the Buick Regal again while trying to keep the truck on the road. That impact knocked the Buick into the southbound lane where it was struck nearly head-on by a silver 2008 GMC Denali driven by Bobby P. Roberts, 45, of Twin Falls.

He said Yauri, Moya and Melchor were ejected from the Buick by centrifugal force as the car spun from the impact.

The Buick caught on fire but flames were extinguished by people who stopped at the accident scene.

Emergency crews from Wood River Fire and Rescue, the Ketchum and Hailey fire departments and emergency helicopter services in Twin Falls and Pocatello rushed to the scene.

"It was pretty horrific," said Wood River Fire and Rescue Chief Bart Lassman.

He said crews were "very compassionate" in coordinating treatment and transport of the injured and in taking care of the deceased.
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Traffic was closed on the highway for about two and half hours. It was rerouted to U.S. highways 20 and 93 while emergency crews cared for the injured and deceased and cleaned up the roadway.

The sheriff's office reported that of the five injured people, none of the injuries appear life-threatening. However, Roberts, a Jerome High School football coach, was transported by air ambulance to St. Luke's Magic Valley Medical Center in Twin Falls. He has since been released.

Two passengers in the Roberts vehicle, Wes Broadbent, 27, of Alpine, Utah, and Pascal Meyer, 37, of Sandy, Utah, were transported by ambulance to St. Luke's Wood River Medical Center. Both were later airlifted to Salt Lake City "so they could recover closer to home," the sheriff's office reported.

Lott, the driver of the Dodge truck, and a passenger, 31-year-old Donald Lott, of Twin Falls, were also transported to St. Luke's Wood River Medical Center.

The sheriff's office reported that the five men mainly suffered neck, back, abdominal and leg injuries.

Meanwhile, the bodies of Yauri, Moya and Melchor are being held at Wood River Chapel in Hailey while friends and family try to raise money to have them shipped back to Peru for burial.

There are about 200 Peruvians living as a tight-knit group in the Wood River Valley. Several of them contacted the Idaho Mountain Express following the accident to provide photographs and information about Yauri, Moya and Melchor.

One woman, who declined to have her name used, said Moya and Melchor had lived in the valley for about a year, while Yauri, who played soccer for the "Union Progreso" team, had lived here longer.

All were from the Lima area. Yauri and Moya leave behind spouses and children in Peru.

"They were neighbors and friends with each other," the woman said. "They had been down south and were returning to the valley to go to work.

"They were nice people and very hard workers—and they came here looking for the dream and they found something else."

To help victims' families

Friends of the three victims of an Oct. 30 fatal traffic accident in southern Blaine County have set up a fund at Wells Fargo Bank to raise money to transport the bodies back to their native Peru. Money can be deposited under the names of Dionicio Crispin Yauri, Eliana Maribel Bodadilla Moya and Mariela Bernadino Melchor. For more information, contact Wells Fargo in Ketchum at 578-3920 or Julissa Bobadilla at (602) 367-2519.

Terry Smith: tsmith@mtexpress.com

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The comments below are from the readers of mtexpress.com and in no way represent the views of Express Publishing Inc.

martha hernandez – ketchum

11/08/09 - 14:03

si alguno tiene fotos del la ultima reunion en la funeraria el jueves pasado le agradeceria enviarlas ami correo para efectos de documentacion de esta reunion por favor si usted estuvo ahi con su camara dejeme saber envie las fotos a mi correo martaracely@hotmail.com que Dios los bendiga a todos los que de alguna manera u otra han colaborado con la familia "En todo tiempo ama el amigo y es mas que un hermano en el tiempo de angustia " atte. Rev .Marta Hernandez ministerios Leon de juda.

AJ – WASHINGTON DC

11/07/09 - 12:52

I know its not the right time to do this, but believe me ... if we create a group on face book asking for help for the families and for support on the events peruvian's comunity will do ... i think will be helpfully ! lets start now and .... lets remember this people w happiness cuz they went to a better place full of love! god bless their souls ~

Ministerios Leon de Juda – Ketchum ID

11/06/09 - 22:35

El dia de ayer tuvimos la oportunidad de acompanar a las familias de las personas fallecidas,y fue de gran bendicion poder llevar la Palabra de Dios y que esta sirviera de consuelo ante la partida de nuestros hermanos Eliana,Mariela y Dionicio,como Ministerios Leon de Juda esta es nuestra mision,primero predicar la Palabra de Dios y lo segundo ayudar al projimo, a nuestra gente,nuestra comunidad ante cualquier eventualidad que ocurra.
Ministerios Leon de Juda invita a todos para este proximo domingo a las 10:30 am a un servicio muy especial en memoria de los difuntos, nuestro local es en el 220 River St. East Ketchum.A los familiares y amigos de las victimas del fatal accidente les decimos que no estan solos,Nuestro Ministerio esta con Ustedes,no somos una religion,somos un Ministerio Cristiano para ayudar a nuestra Comunidad en situaciones como esta.Los invitamos a nuestras reuniones los dias Sabado y Miercoles 6:30 p.m y Domingos 10:30 am.
Tratamos de temas de la vida practica,depresion,stress,perdida del trabajo,problemas de deudas,alcoholismo,drogadiccion,soledad,perdida de un familiar cercano como este caso.
Para inf. 721-2920/726-8372. Estamos para apoyar a nuestra comunidad Latina,necesitamos fundamentar un ministerio o iglesia propia e hispana,en la cual cuando cualquier persona o familia tenga necesidad tenga un apoyo como son estas emergencias,los invitamos a unirse y participar,recuerden la vida no es tan larga como pensamos,necesitamos buscar a Dios,necesitamos alimentar la parte espiritual para que la muerte no nos sorprenda.
Dios los bendiga a todos y quedan invitados

Ministerios leon de Juda
220 River St.East-Ketchum
A una cuadra del teatro de Ketchum y media cuadra de la Main St. ministrieslionofjudah@gmail.com

Mirtha Merino – Boca Raton, Florida

11/06/09 - 21:16

Me uno al dolor de las familias que han perdido a sus seres queridos en este fatal accidente. Mi mas sentido pesame a los familiares que pase pronto el dolor y la tristeza de estos momentos. Los tendre presentes en las oraciones de la misa dominical.
Un abrazo,

Wood River Valley Neighbors

11/06/09 - 19:53

Hola amigos del Valle de WOOD RIVER,

UNETE A APOYARNOS en la Pollada a llevarse a cabo Saturday November 7th at 106 Blue Haven Line, Ketchum, Idaho (in front of the hospital) starting from 8 am to 10 pm. This activity is for the 3 Peruvians who died in the car accident. The funds will be used to send their bodies back to their country, Peru and cover mortuary costs.
If you can go will be wonderful. I would be nice to see all the community involved in this activity. Please, spread the word.

Thank you very much for all your support y que mi Padre Celestial los bendiga.

Wood River Valley Resident

11/06/09 - 19:47

Hello Friends,

You are invited to a Fundraising activity tomorrow Saturday November 7th at 106 Blue Haven Line, Ketchum, Idaho (in front of the hospital) starting from 8 am to 10 pm. This activity is for the 3 Peruvians who died in the car accident. The funds will be used to send their bodies back to their country, Peru and cover mortuary costs.
If you can go will be wonderful. I would be nice to see all the community involved in this activity. Please, spread the word.

Thank you very much for all your support.

Gloria – Hailey

11/06/09 - 19:20

Yo soy de Mexico y se que Martita como muchos le decimos de carino, SIEMPRE colabora con los Latinos,yo tambien le agradezco su apoyo para con nostros,y gracias Martita por ser como eres,una bella persona!
Gloria

Comunidad de Peruanos – Ketchum,Hailey y Bellevue

11/06/09 - 19:07

Este mensaje es para agradecer a la Rev. Marta Hernandez Gutierrez por llevar ese gran mensaje de reflexion y consuelo anoche en la funeraria en Hailey para todos los dolientes,agradecemos su apoyo como comunidad Peruana y la disposicion que tiene en ayudarnos en estos momentos que ha ocurrido esto a nuestros hermanos,asi mismo agradecerle hermana Marta haber puesto a la disposicion el local de su Ministerio Leon de Juda,sabemos que Usted siempre colabora con toda la comunidad Latina en cualquier momento y se le agradece publicamente su gran apoyo.Gracias nuevamente hermana por anoche y siempre,y sabemos todos los latinos que podemos contar con Usted siempre.
Gracias hermana Marta

Que Dios la bendiga y bendiga a Ministerios Leon de Juda
Comunidad Peruana y todos los Latinos

Comunidad de Peruanos – Ketchum,Hailey y Bellevue

11/06/09 - 19:07

Que Dios la bendiga y bendiga a Ministerios Leon de Juda
Comunidad Peruana y todos los Latinos

francisco sandoval – west valley utah

11/06/09 - 16:35

Que Dios bendiga a los familiares de los difuntos y que les de la fortaleza para afrontar esto tan dificil, soy de guatemala y trabajo con un tio de una de las victimas "Bernardino" y de verdad que da tristesa que esto suceda ......pero solo NUESTRO DIOS nos tiene el momemto de arribar asu reino de todo corazon mi mas sentido pesame

PEQUENITA MARKET – SALT LAKE CITY

11/06/09 - 12:22

Salt Lake City, Nov. 11, 2009

A los familiares y amigos:
El motivo de esta carta es para expresarles mis mï¿½s profundas condolencias por el sensible fallecimiento de : Eliana Maribel Bobadilla Moya, 37, Mariela Bernadino Melchor, 21, y Dionicio Crispin Yauri, 38. Deseo que sus almas descansen en paz y a los familiares, encuentren pronta resignaciï¿½n por tan enorme pï¿½rdida.
Me imagino el dolor que deben sentir en estos momentos; los familiares, y amigos a quienes acompaï¿½amos en esta despedida y a quienes invocamos comprension al destino, serena resignacion y reflexion Cristiana que significaria recordarlos por siempre, siguiendo sus enseï¿½anzas, sus ejemplos de bien y, por eso , si hoy lloramos la partida temporal , tambien debemos agradecerle al todopoderoso de habernos brindado a unos amigos justos que brillaron con su ejemplo luchador,.
Descansen en Paz, hermanos, Que Dios les otorgue el reposo eterno! Quienes te queremos y estimamos, te recordaremos por siempre entre nosotros..

Sinceramente.
Carlos Roman
Pequeï¿½ita Market LLC.
www.utahperuvians.blogspot.com

Ministerios Leon de Juda – Ketchum

11/05/09 - 11:54

Agradeceriamos si alguien nos puede dar informacion con respecto al proceso de repatriacion de los hermanos Peruanos, como Ministerio Cristiano estamos en la disponiblidad de ayudar en ese proceso o ponemos a disposicion un abogado,publicidad o lo que se necesite para ese proceso,sabemos que es dificil pero para Dios no hay imposibles y unidos podemos hacer una fuerza que ayude a nuestros hermanos en esta gran necesidad de todo tipo.
Reiteramos que si se necesita oficinas para organizar o planificar las actividades estan las nuestras a las ordenes de la familia de los fallecidos,por favor hacerles saber eso a los familiares,pueden escribirnos estamos pendientes de cualquier noticia de los tramites.
Carlos

Ministerios Leon de Juda
721-2920 /726-8372 / 928-7392 Fax: 726-0167
ministrieslionofjudah@gmail.com

kellie

11/04/09 - 23:03

My heart aches for their faamily & friends, I pray you find peace & comfort knowing they can be at peace with Jesus.

kellie

11/04/09 - 23:03

My heart aches for their faamily & friends, I pray you find peace & comfort knowing they can be at peace with Jesus.

Maclovia

11/04/09 - 17:18

LA RED DE PERUANOS EN UTAH TAMBIEN SE UNE A ESTA PENA Y DEJAMOS NUESTRAS CONDOLENCIA A TODOS LOS AMIGOS Y FAMILIARES ALLEGADOS A CADA UNO DE LOS FALLECIDOS.

DESDE UTAH SE ESTA TRATANDO POR INTERMEDIO DE LA RED QUE LA COMUNIDAD PERUANA PUEDA AUNAR ESFUERZOS PARA QUE ESTAS FAMILIAS PUEDAN SER REPATRIADAS.

SINCERAMENTE

MACLOVIA PEREZ
Coordinadora Red de Peruanos en Utah

Carolina Loo bobadilla – Lima Peru

11/04/09 - 13:05

Es una tragedia que a todos en peru nos ha conmocionado demasiado Eliana Bobadilla era una de las mas bellas personas que pude conocer .. una prima sin igual y deja a sus bebes , espero ke Dios estes dodne estes te tenga con el y te lleve siempre siempre en su gloria prima te amamos

Reply to Carolina Loo bobadilla

martha hernandez – ketchum

11/05/09 - 15:27

carolinatengo un mensaje de Iliana para ty y para luis cuando y ya no me vean mas me podran sentir si ya no escuchan mi voz ni mi risa si levantan sus ojos hacia el cielo me podran mirar como yo hoy los veo soy esa pequena pero brilante estrella que en medio de este universo vive y brilla titila con el alma de los que tanto amo estare en cada salida del sol y en cada puesta de luna ya no lloren mas! ya el dolor se fue no piensen que tengo miedo y que me siento sola un pequeno angel toma mi mano y corre conmigo por esos jardines hermozos y me llama mama! los amo y los amare! atte rev Martha Hernandez leones de juda ministerios

Ministerios Leon de Juda/Lion of Judah – KETCHUM

11/04/09 - 11:05

Este mensaje es para los familiares de las personas que fallecieron en el accidente.Ministerios Leon de Juda pone a su disposicion y completamente gratis nuestro local para cualquier evento en beneficio de las personas afectadas por esta tragedia.Ministerios Leon de Juda es una organizacion Cristiana, Non-Profit y No- Denominacional.No somos una religion,sino un Ministerio al servicio primero de Dios y segundo al servicio de nuestra Comunidad,no tenemos relacion con ninguna secta iglesia o secta,somos completamente independientes para servir a quien lo necesita como es este lamentable caso.Igualmente a Familiares de las victimas les ofrecemos soporte espiritual,y cualquier situacion en que podemos colaborar estamos en toda nuestra dispocision de hacerlo sin ningun costo.

Ministerios Leon de Juda / Lion of Judah Ministries
220 River St. East -Ketchum
Inf. 721-2920/726-8372/ 928-7392 p/mensajes
Rev. Martha Hernandez Gutierrez
ministrieslionofjudah@gmail.com

Blaine County Neighbors

11/04/09 - 10:47

Hola Blaine County Residents,
Gracias por ser humanos y solidarizarse con los familiares de los fallecidos. Nadie esta libre de accidentes y espero que no importe la nacionalidad, religion, raza etc. para poder ayudar al projimo y hacerse presente con su colaboración.
WellsFargo account # 9043209445 the account name is Luis Blas en Memoria de Dionicio Crispin, Mariela Bernardino y Eliana Bobadilla.

Dear Wood River Valley Community,
Please, if you want to help the relatives of the deceased, there is an open Wells Fargo account # 9043209445 the account name is Luis Blas en Memoria de Dionicio Crispin, Mariela Bernardino y Eliana Bobadilla.
Please think about it and help them.

Wood River Valley Residen

11/04/09 - 08:40

Dear Wood River Valley Community,
Please, if you want to help the relatives of the deceased, there is an open WellsFargo account # 9043209445 the account name is Luis Blas en Memoria de Dionicio Crispin, Mariela Bernardino y Eliana Bobadilla.
Please think about it and help these families in need.

If you want happiness for an hour take a nap.
If you want happiness for a day -- go fishing.
If you want happiness for a year -- inherit a fortune.
If you want happiness for a lifetime -- help someone else.

-Chinese Proverb

ELM

11/04/09 - 08:35

Aqui en Idaho, USA se ha aperturado una cta. cte. para poder ayudar a estas tres familias con los gastos de repatriacion de los cadaveres. La Cta. Cte es en el Banco de WellsFargo # 9043209445 a nombre de Luis Blas en Memoria de Dionicio Crispin, Mariela Bernardino y Eliana Bobadilla.

Carlos – Ketchum

11/03/09 - 23:45

Que Dios los tenga en su gloria,una tragedia que nos debe hacer reflexionar,la vida no es tan larga como algunas veces pensamos,y por eso debemos no hacer dano a los demas y tratar de ser felices siempre,sobre todo estar a cuentas con Nuestro Dios en todo momento,y ser mejores personas.

betty lu – hailey

11/03/09 - 23:42

a really sad sad and tragic accident it's so heart breaking what happened to these people my heart goes out to their families and god ease them with there pain in these tuff in hard painfull moment's give them the strenght to move on in this hard timez! Dionicio & Mariela & Eliana may god have you in his arms and god bless all 3 of you and you will not be forgotten in hailey and like Marco said wear your seat belts please it just takes less then a minute to do so and can avoid for ever pain for your love ones wear seat belts dont forget god bless all you 3 rest in peace:(

Ministerios Leon de Juda – Ketchum

11/03/09 - 23:33

Nuestro mas sentido pesame a los familiares de las personas fallecidas en este accidente,que Dios los fortalezca en estos momentos dificiles.
Ministerios Leon de Juda

Reply to

martha hernandez – ketchum

11/04/09 - 10:30

to- jramero its not any reason to avoid any comments because we believe in the freedom to express what we are thinking. Lion of juda ministries. YO se que es muy triste todo lo que paso pero dejame decirte que este es el momento donde debemos escuchar como se siente la comunidad no solo tu estas triste es toda una comunidad involucrada y es importante conocer, saber ,que piensan los demas con todo respeto jramero tengo una palabra para ti Consolaos pueblo mio dice vuestro DIOS (Isaias 40:1) att. Rev Martha Hernandez. ministerios leon de juda

jramero

11/03/09 - 23:25

Please no more comments. Lets just let this one pass in peace. Very Sad. Really good people who would never wanted to hurt anyone. Very Sad.