Medical Emergency Leads to Police Response in Downtown Boise

BOISE, Idaho – A Thursday evening incident in downtown Boise, initially believed to involve impaired driving, is being investigated as a medical emergency.

On October 30, 2025, at approximately 4:30 p.m., 911 dispatchers received multiple reports of a pickup driving erratically eastbound on Interstate 84 near milepost 44. Callers reported the vehicle struck another car and a concrete barrier before continuing onto the I-184 Connector toward downtown Boise.

Boise Police and Idaho State Police (ISP) troopers responded to intercept the vehicle. Additional reports indicated the pickup had crashed near Myrtle and 11th Street in downtown Boise. When law enforcement officers arrived, the driver refused repeated verbal commands to exit the vehicle.

Over the next hour, officers made numerous attempts to communicate with the driver. Boise Police deployed a drone to monitor the situation while negotiations continued. Although pepper ball rounds were eventually used to encourage the driver to exit the vehicle, he still refused to comply. Shortly afterward, officers approached the pickup and detained the man without further incident, and on-scene medics evaluated him.

The incident prompted road closures and drew public attention. Bystanders and local media recorded portions of the response.

ISP troopers transported him to St. Luke’s Boise Medical Center for evaluation. At the hospital, medical staff believed he suffered a medical emergency. After receiving treatment, the driver voluntarily cooperated with troopers.

“Some medical emergencies can appear nearly identical to impaired driving. Law enforcement must approach every situation with caution to protect both the public and themselves,” said Lieutenant Brandalyn Crapo of the Idaho State Police. “However, not all the factors of this investigation have been vetted, and troopers will continue to investigate.”

The investigation remains ongoing, and possible charges are pending review.

ISP appreciates the assistance of those who called 911 to report the vehicle, as well as the Boise Police Department and emergency medical personnel who provided the medical attention.

###

Posted in District 3 - Western Idaho