Idaho
Sheriff’s deputy accused of texting and driving in crash that killed 80-year-old: Reports
Stephanie Grisham, a 38-year-old deputy for the Bingham County Sheriff’s Office, is accused of texting and driving during a deadly crash in February.
A sheriff’s deputy in Idaho has been charged for being involved in a deadly crash that investigators say was caused by the officer texting while driving.
Stephanie Grisham, a 38-year-old deputy for the Bingham County Sheriff’s Office with nine years of patrol service, was charged on July 23 with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter, Idaho court records show.
Grisham, who was driving a Bingham County Sheriff’s Office black Ford Explorer patrol SUV, is accused of killing 80-year-old, Robert Beal, in a two-vehicle collision on Feb. 1, according to a probable cause affidavit from Idaho State Police obtained by East Idaho News.
Dennis P. Wilkinson, Grisham’s defense attorney, told USA TODAY he had “no comment on the case at this time.” The attorney did say they have filed a notice of appearance and not-guilty plea on Grisham’s behalf.
USA TODAY contacted the Idaho State Police, Bingham County Sheriff’s Office and Bingham County Magistrate Court on Monday but has not received a response.
How did the crash happen?
Beal was driving east in a Dodge Ram pickup with his 76-year-old wife riding in the passenger seat when Grisham drove into the oncoming eastbound lane and hit the truck head-on, East Idaho News reported, per the affidavit.
Both vehicles had stopped off the roadway as a result of the crash, the outlet said, citing the affidavit. All occupants were confined inside their vehicles until emergency responders extracted them.
Beal was pronounced dead at the scene due to injuries he suffered from the crash, while his wife was taken to a hospital in serious condition. Grisham was also taken to the hospital with critical injuries.
‘I’m such an idiot’
An Idaho State Police detective reviewed Grisham’s dashcam footage and compared it to the text message thread on the deputy’s cell phone, East Idaho News said, per the affidavit. The detective noticed there was text message activity on the phone at the time of the crash, the outlet added.
The dash cam footage also showed Grisham’s patrol car veer to the left and go into the oncoming lane of traffic.
The detective also interviewed a Firth Fire Captain who responded to the crash. The captain told the detective that Grisham said, “I screwed up. I was on my phone texting. I’m such an idiot,” according to the affidavit, the East Idaho News reported.
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — Three people overdosed from suspected fentanyl on Tuesday.
The Idaho Falls Police Department reports three people on the 500 block of Ridge Avenue and the 200 block of Short Street overdosed on fentanyl on Tuesday. Two of the overdoses were deadly.
East Idaho News reports police say the deceased individuals were identified as two women, a 24-year-old and a 63-year-old.
Police say they do not believe that the overdoses were connected to a “bad batch” of fentanyl, but rather that the users believed the substance to be a different drug.
It is not clear what drug the fentanyl was mistaken for or made to look like.
According to the release, fentanyl can be found in several forms, including powder, and may appear in different colors and consistencies, making it difficult to identify.
“Because of this, individuals may unknowingly ingest fentanyl while believing they are using a different substance,” according to the release. “These incidents serve as a stark reminder of the dangers fentanyl poses within our community.”
Fentanyl is an extremely potent synthetic opioid that is often mixed into other narcotics, sometimes without the user’s knowledge, says police. Even a very small amount can be deadly.
The Idaho Falls Police Department, along with community partners, is continuing to investigate these incidents and work to identify and disrupt the distribution of dangerous narcotics in our area.
“We encourage anyone struggling with substance abuse to seek help immediately and urge friends and family members to check in on loved ones who may be at risk,” says the release.
Important safety reminders:
Never take pills or substances that are not prescribed directly to you.
Be aware that counterfeit pills may contain fentanyl.
Call 911 immediately if someone is experiencing signs of an overdose, including slowed breathing, unconsciousness, or blue or gray skin coloration.
Carrying and administering Narcan (naloxone) can save lives during an opioid overdose emergency.
Anyone with information related to narcotics distribution in the Idaho Falls area is encouraged to contact the Idaho Falls Police Department at (208) 529-1200 or submit anonymous tips through East Idaho Crime Stoppers.
BOISE COUNTY, Idaho (CBS2) — A traffic stop along the Highway 21 corridor in Boise County led to the arrest of an Idaho City woman on methamphetamine and other drug-related charges, according to the Boise County Sheriff’s Office.
On May 21, 2026, at about 6:40 p.m., a Boise County Sheriff’s Office deputy conducting traffic safety enforcement saw a gray car traveling at a high rate of speed and initiated a traffic stop. While speaking with the driver, the deputy recognized behaviors associated with drug activity.
K9 Sage was deployed for a free open-air sniff and alerted on the vehicle, the sheriff’s office said.
Rochelle Kinney, 46, of Idaho City, was arrested on charges of felony possession of methamphetamine, misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.
“This arrest demonstrates our commitment to traffic safety enforcement and addressing drug possession that endangers public safety within Boise County,” the Boise County Sheriff’s Office said.
Concertgoers heading to see Bailey Zimmerman at the Ford Idaho Center on June 5 will be able to kick off the venue’s amphitheater season early with a tailgate-style pre-show party featuring a live DJ, food and drinks, prizes and giveaways, and photo opportunities.
The Ford Idaho Center is hosting its first-ever amphitheater season kickoff party ahead of Zimmerman’s show, partnering with CBH Homes.
Arielle McCormick, CBH Homes’ Director of brand and vision, said the company has long focused on making people feel welcome at community events.
“As Idaho’s number one home builder, we’ve been welcoming Idahoans home for 34 years,” McCormick said. “Making people feel welcomed and ready for fun at whatever event they are here for.”
Organizers said the pre-show party will include a live DJ to keep the energy up before the concert, along with food, drinks, prizes, giveaways and photo ops. Gypsy Tattoo will also be on site offering free flash tattoos inspired by live music.
“I’ve heard they are real tattoos, real flash tattoos, first come, first serve,” McCormick said. “So get here at four-thirty on June 5th.”
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The kickoff party starts at 4:30 p.m., hours before showtime. The event is only for Bailey Zimmerman ticket holders. Tickets have not sold out, but organizers say supplies are limited.
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