A devastating collision near Yellowstone National Park has left seven families grieving, a stark reminder that one reckless decision can shatter countless lives.
On May 1 at 7:15 p.m., a fiery crash on Highway 20 claimed the lives of seven people, including the driver of a Dodge Ram pickup, Isaiah Moreno, 25, of Humble, Texas, and six tourists in a Mercedes tour van, all because of Moreno's choice to drive with a blood alcohol content of .20—over twice the legal limit.
The Daily Mail reported that Moreno, behind the wheel of his red Dodge Ram, veered across the center line on a busy stretch of Highway 20, slamming into the oncoming tour van.
It’s a highway known for heavy tourist traffic, often ferrying visitors to Yellowstone’s iconic vistas. And yet, one man’s disregard for the law turned a scenic route into a scene of horror.
The impact was catastrophic, with both vehicles erupting into flames moments after the collision. The six tourists in the van, identified as Yu Zhang, 30, of Eastvale, California; Ivana Wen, 28, of Milan, Italy; Jianping Li, 71, of Guangxi, China; Xiaoming Jiang, 66, of Guilin, China; Li Nie, 64, of Arcadia, California; and Aifeng Wan, 53, of Arcadia, California, never made it out alive.
They had been enjoying a trip to Yellowstone, as confirmed by Fremont County Coroner Brenda Dye, only to have their journey cut tragically short.
Moreno, the man responsible, also perished in the inferno, leaving behind a legacy of destruction rather than a lesson learned. Turns out, actions do indeed have consequences, and his choice to drive impaired didn’t just cost him—it stole six innocent futures.
Eight other passengers from the tour van survived, though not unscathed, and were rushed to nearby hospitals with injuries.
Amid the chaos, two passing travelers heroically stepped in, pulling the survivors, including a child, from the wreckage before the van was fully engulfed in flames. In a world obsessed with selfies and likes, this old-school courage stands out.
One of those travelers, Roger Merrill, 60, captured the aftermath on video, showing flames roaring and smoke choking the sky. “It’s a very dangerous highway because it leads to the main entrance,” Merrill said, pointing out the constant stream of tourist vans.
Well, if it’s so dangerous, maybe it’s time for some common-sense upgrades instead of endless bureaucratic delays. Merrill also noted, “It took an unnervingly long time for help to arrive just because of the location.”
Hard to argue with that when you’re stuck in a remote spot, watching lives slip away while emergency services play catch-up. Rural infrastructure isn’t just a talking point—it’s a lifeline.
The delay in response only compounded the tragedy of an already preventable disaster. If we’re serious about protecting folks on highways like this, perhaps less focus on trendy social campaigns and more on practical safety measures would do the trick.
Police Capt. Chris Weadick didn’t mince words, stating, “This tragedy should be a wake-up call.” He’s right—too often, we shrug off impaired driving as a personal choice until it’s a public catastrophe. Let’s not wait for the next headline to take responsibility seriously.
In a separate comment, Weadick urged, “Impaired driving isn’t just illegal—it’s deadly.” If that doesn’t hit home, nothing will, especially when seven caskets are the price of ignoring it. Maybe it’s time to stop coddling bad behavior and start enforcing accountability before the ignition even turns.
The loss of these six tourists, who came from across the globe to marvel at America’s natural beauty, is a gut punch to any sense of decency. Their names and stories remind us that behind every statistic is a human life, not a political talking point.
Seven souls are gone, but their memory should fuel a renewed push against the kind of recklessness that led to this disaster. Let’s honor them by demanding better of our drivers, our roads, and the systems meant to keep us safe. After all, ignoring the problem won’t make the next tragedy disappear—it’ll just write the headline.