Fatal Car Crash Leads to Wrong Identification in East Idaho

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) — Idaho State Police say they notified the wrong family following a fatal single-car crash because the vehicle contained identification with photos of only one person and that the photos resembled the deceased driver of the vehicle.

But Idaho State Police Sgt. Todd Orr tells the Post Register in a story on Tuesday that officials later learned that 20-year-old Wyatt Wells of Idaho Falls died and not 32-year-old Adam West, also of Idaho Falls. Orr says the crash is under investigation and some details relating to the mistaken identity and how it was discovered couldn't be released.

Police say Wells at about 6 a.m. Saturday was southbound on Interstate 15 when he went off the right shoulder and crashed. Police say he wasn't wearing a seatbelt and died at the scene.