Single-Vehicle Serious Injury Crash

What this means

Idaho State Police said a 55-year-old Jackson, Wyoming, man was seriously injured when the 2016 Harley-Davidson motorcycle he was riding north on State Highway 31 struck a bear near milepost 7, north of Swan Valley, at about 5:37 p.m. on October 7, 2026. Police said the rider, who was not wearing a helmet, was taken by air ambulance to a local hospital, northbound lanes were blocked for approximately four hours, and the crash remains under investigation.

Official release

Source material from Idaho State Police. The wording below is the issuer’s statement.

October 8, 2026

BONNEVILLE COUNTY, Idaho – Idaho State Police is investigating a single-vehicle serious injury crash that occurred, October 7, 2026, at 5:37 p.m., on State Highway 31 near milepost 7, north of Swan Valley.

A 2016 Harley-Davidson motorcycle, driven by a 55-year-old male from Jackson, Wyoming, was traveling northbound on State Highway 31 striking a bear.

The rider was transported by air ambulance to a local hospital. The rider was not wearing a helmet.

Northbound lanes of travel were blocked for approximately four hours.

This crash remains under investigation by the Idaho State Police.

4496 // 4508

Posted in District 6 - Eastern Idaho

Please direct questions to:

District 6

Eastern Idaho

1540 Foote Dr.

Idaho Falls, ID 83402-1828

Phone: (208) 528-3400

Fax: (208) 528-3485

Serving Bonneville, Butte, Clark, Custer, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison, and Teton Counties.

Release text attributed to Idaho State Police. Consult the official publication for any subsequent corrections or updates.