Meridian — A tragic two-vehicle collision on Interstate 84 early Tuesday afternoon claimed the life of a 7-year-old boy, now identified as Graham Summers of Meridian. According to the Idaho State Police (ISP) and the Canyon County Coroner’s Office, the crash occurred about 3:06 p.m. near milepost 39 — close to the Robinson Road overpass — when a black 2007 GMC Sierra rear-ended a white 2013 Ford F-450 box truck traveling westbound.
The box truck’s driver and passenger—a 21-year-old man from Nampa and his adult passenger—were not injured. The pickup, driven by a 31-year-old Meridian man, carried multiple juvenile passengers. First responders rushed three occupants to a nearby hospital; sadly, Graham died at the scene from blunt-force injuries.
Emergency crews — including ISP, the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Canyon County Paramedics, the Nampa Fire Department and the Idaho Transportation Department — responded quickly, closing all westbound lanes for roughly three hours. The roadway remained blocked while investigators documented the scene, collected evidence and coordinated cleanup.
The following day, the Coroner’s Office confirmed the identity of the child. According to grieving loved ones and a GoFundMe campaign started on behalf of the family, Graham’s mother — Ashley Summers — is a single mother working three jobs while finishing nursing school. The sudden, devastating loss has left the family grieving and facing an uncertain future.
The crash has struck a chord across Canyon County. Community members have flooded social media with condolences, described Graham as a joyful second-grader whose smile lit up every room. In the wake of this tragedy, many are rallying together to support the Summers family — financially and emotionally — through a time no parent should ever face.
Authorities stress the investigation remains active as they work to piece together what led the pickup to collide with the box truck. They are urging anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information to come forward — even the smallest detail could be critical.
For now, the community mourns a young life cut far too short. The grief is collective, the sorrow deep — and the hope is that such heartbreak may serve as a stark reminder to drive carefully, protect those we love, and cherish every moment.
