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Four LDS missionaries injured in crash that killed two people in Idaho

Posted at 9:45 PM, Apr 25, 2018
and last updated 2018-04-26 08:39:15-04

PRESTON, Idaho – Two people were killed and four missionaries for the LDS Church serving in the Utah Logan Mission suffered injuries in a crash near Preston, Idaho, Wednesday.

Cache Valley Daily – Bob Bosworth

According to a statement from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the crash occurred on US-91 near Preston, Idaho Wednesday afternoon.

Idaho State Police told the Cache Valley Daily the crash occurred as a man driving a Jeep was traveling southbound and went to make a left turn onto Cub River Road in front of the northbound vehicle carrying the four missionaries, which struck the Jeep on the passenger side.

An LDS Church spokesman says that while all four missionaries survived and are expected to recover, the driver and the passenger in the other vehicle were killed.

“Our hearts go out to their families and loved ones at this tragic time,” an LDS Church spokesman stated.

The deceased have been identified by police as L. Max Richards, 83 of Franklin, Idaho; and 80-year-old Phyllis Richards of Franklin, Idaho. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

The four missionaries were identified by the LDS Church as 67-year-old Elder Charly Sistrunk and his wife, 62-year-old Sister Debra Owens Sistrunk, both from Preston, Idaho. The other two missionaries are Elder Elijah Wall, 19; and Elder William Wilson, 19. Both are from Kentucky.

Police say all four were taken to area hospitals by ground ambulance but Debra Sistrunk was later taken to Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello via medical helicopter.