Claim blames Idaho DOT for crash that killed trucker

Seven government bodies, including the Idaho Department of Transportation, face tort claims in response to a fatal crash that happened in June 2018 on Interstate 84 in Boise, Idaho.

Claims were filed on June 16, 2020 by attorney Joe Frick, on behalf of truck driver, Illya Tsar, who was among the four people who died.

The claim lists as defendants:

• The State of Idaho
• The Idaho Transportation Department
• The Idaho State Police
• Ada County
• The Ada County Sheriff’s Office
• The Ada County Highway District
• The City of Boise

The crash occurred in 2018, when Tsar approached a construction zone on I-84 near the Cloverdale overpass. He was working for Krujex Transport Corporation at the time and was delivering a shipment for Albertsons. Tsar’s truck rear-ended a 2008 Jeep Wrangler with three U.S Air Force Members inside. The crash caused a massive fire and involved five other vehicles. Tsar and the three U.S airmen were all killed.

In the original investigation, Tsar’s ‘inattention’ was cited as the cause of the crash by the Idaho State Police.

The crash remained a controversy though, as many blamed the construction zone as the real cause. In interviews, court documents and hearings some have questioned that the construction zone did not give drivers enough time to slow down when approaching and was not set up properly.

In the days after the crash, driver Craig Peterson spoke to the Idaho Press about his concerns.

“As we approached the merging columns, I don’t remember seeing much forewarning,” Peterson said. “All I remember seeing were a lot of taillights.

“Everything was normal until you got to the construction,” another driver, Kevin Berringer said. “Nothing got our attention.”

This claim is seeking $2 million, and is a part of the wave of legal actions taken since the incident happened in 2018. Family members of the other victims, another driver and Krujex Transport Corporation have all filled previous claims.

The Idaho DOT and other agencies listed must respond within three months to the claim.