The tight-knit community of Ririe is mourning a devastating loss this week. A routine Monday afternoon drive turned into an absolute nightmare on U.S. Highway 26 near Iona. Simone Stoumbaugh, a 59-year-old local resident, lost her life in a horrific multi-vehicle wreck. The crash happened in the blink of an eye, leaving her family and neighbors completely heartbroken.
Folks who knew Simone say she was the kind of person who could brighten up any room she walked into. She was widely known across the area for her sweet smile, her big heart, and her steady strength. Neighbors say she spent her life looking out for others and offering a helping hand whenever someone needed it. Now, those same friends are struggling to process how someone so full of life could be taken away so suddenly.
The tragic chain of events unfolded right around 4:50 p.m. at a busy local intersection. Simone was driving her 2017 Dodge Challenger eastbound on the highway, just minding her own business. She had her seatbelt buckled and was doing everything right on her commute. Out of nowhere, an out-of-state van failed to yield and barreled right into her path.
The initial collision was incredibly violent. The force of the impact shoved Simone’s Dodge Challenger straight into the oncoming westbound lanes of U.S. Highway 26. With traffic moving quickly, her vehicle became an unavoidable obstacle. Her car was hit again, colliding with a westbound 2008 Ford Focus and a 2017 Ford F-250 pickup truck.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene at East 49th North to pull the victims from the tangled metal. First responders loaded Simone into an ambulance and rushed her to a nearby hospital. Medical teams worked tirelessly and fought hard to save her life. Despite their very best efforts, her injuries were just too severe, and she passed away shortly after arriving.
The devastating pileup didn’t just affect Simone. The driver of the Ford F-250 pickup truck was also hurt and had to be rushed to the hospital by paramedics. Two children were riding inside that same pickup truck during the collision. Thankfully, the drivers of the other vehicles involved were wearing their seatbelts, which likely prevented even more casualties.
Right now, the Idaho State Police are leading the investigation to figure out exactly what went wrong. The road was shut down for nearly five hours while investigators cleared the wreckage and mapped out the scene. For the people of Ririe, the empty spaces left behind by Simone’s passing are a painful reminder of how fragile life really is. Her legacy of deep kindness and love will stay with this community forever.
