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Driver charged with killing three Mountain Home sisters in fatal Blaine County crash
On Saturday, August 10, 2019, at approximately 1:19 a.m., Blaine County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to a two-vehicle crash on Hwy 20 at milepost 173, east of Hot Springs Landing.
The collision occurred at the site of a temporary traffic signal for the Idaho Transportation Department’s bridge construction project south of Bellevue, Idaho. Upon arrival, deputies located a white 1995 Dodge Pickup in the roadway with extensive front end damage which was driven by Mathew R. Park, 46, from Fairfield, Idaho.
The second vehicle, a Blue 2000 Dodge Neon, driven by Somchai Ray Lee Lurak, 26, of Mountain Home, had extensive rear-end damage. Also in the Dodge Neon was front passenger Emma Weigand, 26, of Mountain Home, and three young sisters: six- year-old Aneena Lurak, five-year-old Kya Lurak and three-year-old Drayka Emyka Rayshell. All three children were properly restrained in their carseats.
From the investigation, deputies determined Lurak and his passengers were traveling westbound on Hwy 20 and were stopped at the construction site. Park was also traveling westbound on Hwy 20 and collided with the rear of the Dodge Neon in the westbound lane.
Two of the children died at the scene. The 3-year-old was rushed to St. Lukes Boise for her injuries where she later passed away. Lurak was flown by air ambulance with serious injuries and is currently listed in critical condition. The case’s criminal complaint states he had neck and back injuries. Weigand was initially transported to St. Luke’s in Ketchum. Weigand has since been taken to Saint Alphonsus Hospital in Boise for treatment for her injuries, including a fractured arm, according to the criminal complaint in the case.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family pay for medical treatment and funeral expenses for the three girls. https://www.gofundme.com/f/h33cj2-our-family?
Park, the driver of the Dodge Pickup appeared uninjured and declined medical assistance.
Deputies reported Park showed signs of intoxication. He was given field sobriety tests and provided breath samples. Park was arrested and transported to the Blaine County Detention Center and has remained in custody. According to a criminal complaint filed against Park, his blood-alcohol content was recorded as being between .191 and .189.
At an initial arraignment Monday afternoon, prosecutors said the suspect had admitted to drinking more than a dozen beers between noon Friday and 1:30 a.m. Saturday, and that he had visited several bars that night.
Park was quiet and subdued during the hearing, often looking down at his hands.
Park has one prior DUI, from Park City, Utah in 2014, and a minor criminal history in Idaho, with a handful of traffic infractions and a misdemeanor conviction for shooting a gun in city limits in 2006.
According to his defense attorney, he has lived in the Fairfield area for 25 years and works as a carpenter.
Park was the person who dialed 911 after the collision, according to officials.
The judge set the suspect’s bond at $400,000. Vehicular manslaughter carries a sentence of up to ten years in prison, while aggravated DUI carries a sentence of up to 15 years.
The Blaine County Sheriff’s Office is in charge of this investigation and has asked for assistance from the Idaho State Police with accident reconstruction.
Editor’s Note: Our deepest sympathies go out to the family and their loved ones. We can’t even imagine your pain.