PARK ISLAND Six family members were hurt in a July 4th crash near Island Park that claimed the life of five-year-old Catherine Cooper of Idaho Falls.
Her lively personality, lighthearted sense of humor, and affection for her sisters, relatives, neighbors, and pets are what people remember about Catherine.
According to Catherine’s father, Scott Cooper, the tragedy occurred while the family, who have longstanding ties to Idaho Falls, was making their way back to their Island Park cabin after a wonderful morning at the Ashton Fourth of July Parade.
The collision happened at 11:43 a.m. on U.S. Highway 20 close to milepost 380.8 by Harriman State Park, causing traffic to be delayed for up to five hours.
RELATED: Two vehicles roll over near Island Park, leaving one dead and seven injured
A 40-year-old Shelley resident was driving a 2026 Freightliner semi-truck west when it drifted off the shoulder, according to Idaho State Police. The Cooper family’s 2011 Toyota Sienna minivan was struck by the driver who overcorrected and crossed the eastbound lane. Everybody in the collision was wearing a seatbelt.
While the semi-truck driver and other family members were transported to Madison Memorial Hospital in Rexburg for non-life-threatening injuries, Catherine passed away at the scene.
Cooper detailed the severe injuries suffered by other family members, although the semi-truck driver’s condition is unknown: his mother-in-law had spinal damage and a broken arm and hand; he had neck injuries and head wounds that required staples; his wife Jessica had severe shoulder damage; his father-in-law had a broken arm and serious facial injuries; and his daughters Morgan and Gwendolyn had severe cuts and bruises from shattered glass.
Cooper talked about the devastating loss of his daughter and said that Catherine was flawless.
He claimed that the only consolation we had is that she was sound asleep in her car seat when the truck struck us and would not have felt anything. Everyone who jumped out of their cars to assist us is greatly appreciated.
Catherine, who would have turned six on August 31, cherished her sisters, dog Luna, cat Gato, and ferret Mr. Ferguson, Cooper told EastIdahNews.com. Known for her sense of humor and her passion for creating films, she was thrilled to be joining a children’s choir this year with her sister.
Scott stated, “We lost another daughter ten years ago because of a birth defect.” So, for us, it’s simply another nightmare. While we wait for the rest of us, we are glad that her older sister Emi may finally meet her.
A tiny ray of hope was added when the Island Park neighborhood helped locate the family’s dog, Luna, who had fled during the commotion of the incident and was in the vehicle 26 hours later.
There is currently no announcement regarding Catherine’s services. As more information becomes available, EastIdahoNews.com will be updated.
