UPDATE -Four Vehicle Crash Near Buhl Closes Highway 30

Idaho State Police investigated a four vehicle crash on US 30 at milepost 203.5, between 1600 East and 1700 East, near Buhl on Wednesday.  Police say James R. Baker, 71, of Filer was driving a red Ford F250 pickup westbound on US 30 near milepost 204.  Baker stopped in preparation to turn left into the parking lot of Sliman and Butler Irrigation.  Gerrit P.  Dragt, 56, of Filer, driving a yellow Ford F350 pickup, stopped behind Baker while waiting for him to turn.  Michael C. Franks, 36, of Jerome, driving a red Kenworth semi pulling a tanker trailer, was traveling westbound and failed to stop, rear ending Dragt and causing a chain reaction crash.  After being hit, Dragt’s pickup struck the rear of Bakers pickup.  The impact sent Baker’s pickup off of the south shoulder of the roadway and through the fence on the north and west sides of the Sliman and Butler parking lot.  Baker’s pickup came to rest after striking a piece of farm equipment in the Buhl Implement parking lot.  Dragt was transported by ground ambulance to St. Luke’s Magic Valley Medical Center in Twin Falls.  He was later transferred by air ambulance to St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise for further treatment.  Dragt was not wearing a seatbelt.  US 30 was closed for approximately four hours.  The Idaho Transportation Department set up an alternate route of travel during the investigation. US 30 is now open for public traffic.