Coroner releases names of two local motorcyclists who died in Idaho Falls crash

Two people were killed Sunday in an automobile/motorcycle crash in Idaho Falls, according to a press release from the Idaho Falls Police Department.

Shortly after 1 a.m. Sunday, Idaho Falls Police officers and Idaho Falls Fire responded to a report of a vehicle crash on Riverside Drive near Vissing Circle, the release said. The crash involved an Oldsmobile Cierra and two motorcycles, a Harley Davidson and a Yamaha.

Through investigation, officers learned that the two motorcycles were traveling northbound on Riverside Drive. The motorcycles failed to navigate the curve near Vissing Circle and crossed into the oncoming lanes where an Oldsmobile Cierra was driving southbound.

One motorcycle struck the front of the Oldsmobile. The driver came to rest in the southbound lanes of Riverside Drive. Despite the efforts of police officers and responding EMS, the driver, identified by the Bonneville County Coroner’s Office as James Hernandez, 45, was declared dead at the scene.

The second motorcycle swerved around the Oldsmobile, losing control of the bike and laying it down when it hit the curb on the west side of the road where the driver struck a crosswalk pole. Officers attempted life saving measures which were taken over by EMS. The driver was taken to a local hospital by ambulance but, despite the best efforts of first responders and the hospital team, that driver, identified by the Bonneville County Coroner’s Office as Jose Silvas, 44, also died.

Neither motorcyclist was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. Both were adult male residents of eastern Idaho. Portions of Riverside Drive were closed for the investigation until approximately 4:20 a.m. The crash remains under investigation and no further information is expected to be released.