Juvenile Dies in US-20 Pickup Fire Near Ashton, Idaho State Police Report

A juvenile died and two adults were hospitalized Friday evening after a 2003 Chevy 2500 pickup truck towing a livestock trailer overheated and caught fire on US Highway 20 near Ashton, Idaho State Police reported.

Vehicle Fire Erupts at the Top of Ashton Hill

The incident unfolded around 5:23 p.m. on October 9, 2026, at mile marker 368 on US Highway 20, just north of Ashton, according to the Idaho State Police official incident report. A 26-year-old man from Thayne, Wyoming, was driving the pickup truck, which was towing a 2000 KO Manufacturing 6X20LS livestock trailer. A 23-year-old woman from Rexburg and a juvenile were also inside the vehicle. State law enforcement officials stated that the truck overheated at the top of Ashton Hill and ignited.

Emergency responders arrived to find the vehicle engulfed. The juvenile sustained fatal injuries and succumbed at the scene.

Fire Forces Three Hour Closure of US Highway 20

The sudden fire and subsequent investigation forced a complete shutdown of US Highway 20. Both eastbound and westbound lanes remained blocked for approximately three hours while crews cleared the scene. Multiple regional agencies responded to the emergency. The Idaho State Police worked alongside the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, North Fremont Fire Department, Intermountain Air Ambulance, St. Anthony Ambulance, and Ashton Ambulance.

Ongoing Investigation into the Ashton Highway Incident

Authorities have not yet released the names of the individuals involved in the crash, pending notification of family and further investigation. The exact mechanical failure that caused the 2003 Chevy pickup to overheat remains under investigation by state police troopers assigned to District 6 in Eastern Idaho.