Idaho Deputy Killed in Vehicle Crash

Adams County Deputy Monte "Leroy" Matthews, 35, of New Meadows was killed in a crash while on patrol Monday afternoon on U.S. Highway 95, according to Idaho State Police. The crash occurred at 4:25 p.m. south of New Meadows.

Idaho State Police spokesman Rick Ohnsman said Tuesday that Matthews was driving north on U.S. 95, and not responding to an emergency, when his 2005 Dodge Durango was struck by a 2003 Honda Odyssey minivan traveling the other direction and pulling a pop-up trailer..

Initial evidence from the scene indicates the minivan crossed the center line before hitting Matthews' vehicle, Ohnsman said.

Idaho State Captain Steve Richardson said there were no witnesses outside the vehicles involved in the crash. Police have not been able to interview the two adults who survived the crash because both are still hospitalized.

The driver of the minivan was Mark Zampogna, 39, a U.S. Air Force captain in the 366th Operations Support Squadron at Mountain Home Air Force Base. Zampogna and three passengers in the minivan were taken by air and ground ambulance to area hospitals. The passengers were Jennifer Zampogna, 35; Nicole Zampogna, 9; and Dominic Zampogna, 7.

Mark Zampogna was in critical condition at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise Tuesday. Jennifer Zampogna and Dominic Zampogna were both in fair condition. Nicole Zampogna, 9, was not hospitalized, a hospital official said.

Matthews died from his injuries at the scene. He was not wearing a seatbelt. Zampogna and his passengers were wearing seatbelts. There were no indications that alcohol or drugs were a factor, according to ISP investigators.

Information on crash dynamics, including speed and point of impact, will be released after analysis by the Idaho State Police's Crash Reconstruction Unit.

Richardson said police officers in Idaho are not legally required to wear seatbelts.

"There's an exemption under the seatbelt law. It's up to an individual and department," Richardson said.

Matthews had worked for the Adams County Sheriff's Office for about five years and was at Grangeville Police Department prior to that, according to Ada County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Andrea Dearden, who is assisting Adams County in disseminating information about the crash.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service