Authorities have confirmed the identities of all seven victims involved in a tragic tour van crash near Yellowstone National Park earlier this month. The fatal incident occurred on May 1 on U.S. Highway 20, claiming the lives of six passengers and the driver from a Mercedes passenger van operated by Ctour Holiday LLC, which was carrying international visitors primarily from China.
The victims have been identified as Ivana Wen, 28, from Milan, Italy; Jianping Li, 71, and Xiaoming Jiang, 66, both from China; as well as Li Nie, 64, and Aifeng Wan, 53, who were residents of Arcadia, California. The van’s driver, Yu Zhang, 30, from Eastvale, California, also lost his life in the crash. The other fatality involved in the collision was the driver of a Dodge Ram pickup, Isaih Moreno, 25, from Humble, Texas.
According to the investigation, the pickup truck crossed the centerline and collided with the van around 7:15 p.m., causing the van to ignite. The exact cause of the pickup’s errant movement remains under review.
In the aftermath, three injured passengers were airlifted to hospitals in Bozeman, Montana, and Idaho Falls, while the remaining survivors were treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The effort to identify the victims was supported by a coordinated response from the Fremont County Coroner’s Office, the Ada County Coroner’s Office, and Idaho State Police Forensic Services, highlighting the importance of collaboration in such cases.
Captain Chris Weadick of the Idaho State Police acknowledged the complexity of the investigation, which has been intensified by the international nature of the victims. First responders, including a deputy from the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, acted swiftly to assist the injured as the van was engulfed in flames, and their rapid response has been credited with saving lives.
Despite the tragic circumstances, the community’s support and the efforts of law enforcement and medical personnel have demonstrated resilience in the face of such adversity. These collaborative responses not only provide comfort to families affected by the tragedy but also underscore the importance of community spirit during difficult times.