US-30 Reopens Near Kimberly, Idaho After Two-Semi Collision Injures Both Drivers
Two Commercial Trucks Collide on US-30 Near Chobani Facility
A two-vehicle commercial truck crash Thursday morning temporarily shut down U.S. Highway 30 in both directions near Kimberly, Idaho, blocking all lanes for approximately five hours before crews were able to reopen the roadway, according to the Idaho State Police.
The crash occurred around 10:15 a.m. near milepost 221 on westbound U.S. 30, located near the Chobani facility in the Kimberly area. According to Idaho State Police, a 2013 Kenworth semi truck hauling a load of potatoes struck a 2011 Western Star semi truck that was carrying John Deere equipment.
Both drivers were transported by ground ambulance to a local hospital following the collision. No additional injuries were reported. The cause of the crash has not been publicly released at this time.
Idaho State Police initially reported the location of the accident at mile marker 236.2 near Murtaugh, based on information provided by Idaho511. That information was later corrected, with authorities confirming the actual crash site was at milepost 221 near Kimberly.
All Lanes Blocked; Drivers Rerouted for Hours
With all lanes fully blocked in both directions, drivers in the area were asked to seek alternate routes and to expect significant delays throughout the morning. Traffic was actively rerouted while emergency personnel worked at the scene.
The closure created considerable disruption along one of the Magic Valley’s key commercial corridors. US-30 through the Kimberly area serves heavy agricultural and freight traffic, making a full blockage of this nature particularly impactful for commercial operators and local commuters alike.
Once both drivers had been transported and the immediate scene had been addressed, crews were dispatched back to the site to wash down the roadway and ensure safe driving conditions were fully restored. The highway was closed for approximately five hours before reopening to traffic.
This incident is one of several significant commercial vehicle accidents to affect Idaho roadways in recent weeks. A semi-trailer crash also blocked Interstate 84 near Heyburn earlier this year, highlighting ongoing concerns about commercial truck safety across southern Idaho’s major transportation corridors.
Agriculture and Freight Traffic Highlight Regional Risk
The involvement of a potato-hauling semi truck is a reminder of how central agricultural commerce is to Twin Falls County and the broader Magic Valley region. Southern Idaho’s roadways see consistently heavy freight traffic tied to the area’s agricultural economy — from potato harvests and dairy operations to equipment transport for farms and processing facilities.
Commercial vehicle collisions carry heightened risks due to the size, weight, and cargo of the vehicles involved. When two semi trucks collide on a major state highway, the results can close roads for extended periods, strain local emergency medical resources, and create ripple effects throughout the regional supply chain.
Twin Falls County continues to serve as a hub for freight movement between the Pacific Northwest and intermountain west, with US-30 and nearby Interstate 84 handling significant volumes of commercial traffic daily. Infrastructure demands and public safety concerns tied to that volume remain ongoing issues for local and state officials. For more on statewide infrastructure and public safety challenges, see recent coverage at Idaho News.
For additional context on broader public safety and resource challenges facing Twin Falls County, see our earlier coverage of Gov. Brad Little’s remarks on Idaho’s jail overcrowding and statewide drought impacts.
What Comes Next
US-30 near Kimberly has been fully reopened as of Thursday afternoon. Idaho State Police have not yet released a formal crash report or indicated whether citations have been issued in connection with the collision. The conditions of the two hospitalized drivers had not been publicly disclosed as of publication. Residents and commercial drivers are encouraged to monitor Idaho511 for real-time highway updates and to report any road hazards to local authorities.