Woman mourns loss of sister in I-84 crash

JEROME, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — A crash on the highway last week resulted in the death of a local woman. KMVT reached out to the victim’s family and Idaho State Police to get the latest news.

“When the accident happened, she was on the phone with dispatch,” said Kassie Knapp.

It was last Tuesday when Kassie Knapp woke up to a call that her sister, Samantha Smith, had been killed in a crash on I-84 in Jerome County. According to Knapp, Samantha was on her way to Mountain Home when her car broke down, and a semi-truck crashed into her.

“I just remember falling to the ground, like I didn’t believe it could be real,” Knapp says.

According to Idaho State Police, the crash that killed Samantha remains under investigation. However, court documents reveal that ISP obtained dashcam footage from the semi-truck company and that the footage allegedly shows Samantha with the hazard lights on her car.

The footage also showed that the driver of the semi did not brake or swerve to avoid the vehicle. ISP now emphasizes driver safety, especially in construction zones.

“When we talk to truck drivers, they know they are much bigger and take longer to stop. So it is very important that they look ahead,” says Sergeant Benjamin Foster. “Not just a few hundred yards, but they have to keep an eye on that half mile away to see what’s happening.”

The day of the crash, KMVT spoke with Trooper Scott Pop about driver safety. “They need to slow down, pay attention and be aware of their surroundings,” Pope said. “We don’t have a lot of space here, it’s very tight. We have guys on the side of the road here doing construction work, so everyone has to pay attention when they get into construction zones.”

Knapp tells KMVT that her sister leaves behind two children: a son and a daughter. She says the family is currently in the process of making funeral arrangements.

“We were always there for each other, so it sucks that she won’t be around anymore,” Knapp said.

If you would like to help donate to the family’s GoFundMe account for Samantha’s funeral, click here.