Pedestrian Struck By Tanker Truck Closes Part of I-15 Near Blackfoot

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KLIX)- A fuel truck caught fire near Blackfoot after hitting a pedestrian walking along Interstate 15.

According to Idaho State Police the person walking, Jedidiah Mannes, 26, of Idaho Falls, died at the scene of the accident at around five Wednesday morning. The trucker, Edward Kinney Jr., 59, of Pocatello tried to avoid hitting the person walking but was unable to. ISP says the truck was pulling two fuel tanks. The rear tank flipped onto it's side and caught fire.

The truck driver was able to detach the vehicle from the burning trailers and move to a safe distance.

The northbound lanes of I-15 have been blocked for approximately 5 hours.  The lanes will continue to be blocked as the crash is being investigated.