Peyope
By Journal Staff
Jody W. Underwood, 39, of Blackfoot, was arrested on a felony warrant for vehicular manslaughter Wednesday morning, according to Idaho State Police.
A news release reports that the arrest was made at about 9:45 a.m. Wednesday for a head-on crash that killed Richard “Tazzy” Peyope, 45, a Shoshone-Bannock tribal member.
The crash took place on Monday, October 7, 2013 on U.S. Highway 91 near Bronco Road, about seven miles south of Blackfoot. According to Idaho State Police, Underwood was driving a 1992 Buick at a high rate of speed around 9:50 p.m. when Fort Hall Police received a tip.
Before Fort Hall officers could find the reported reckless driver, the collision occurred. Both vehicles reportedly caught on fire. Underwood was pulled out of his vehicle and Peyope died at the scene. Underwood was flown to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center and later to the University of Utah Medical Center in Salt Lake City.
The highway was blocked for more than six hours while the crash scene could be cleared.