According to the Idaho State Police, Rupinder S. Dhillon, age 34, of Surrey, British Columbia, was driving a 2007 Peterbuilt semi tractor southbound on U.S. 95. According to the police report, Dhillon was on the phone and became distracted, driving left of the center line. As he crossed the center line, he struck a northbound Dodge pickup, driven by Justin Chenoweth, 29, of Trout Creek, Montana (who also had a passenger with him). The police report the semi lost a front tire in the impact of the collision, and the semi drove off the east side shoulder embankment, rolling several times and losing its cargo of steel beams.
The semi ended up lying on its side over the bank on the east side of the highway, with its load spilled and scattered. Boundary County, Idaho EMS responded to the scene, finding no significant injuries to any of those involved in the accident.
Dhillon was cited for reckless driving.
