Man who died in accident near Malad, known as loving father and ‘life of the party’

POCATELLO – A man who died in a crash near Malad earlier this week has been identified.

According to Manning Wheatley Funeral Home in Pocatello, the man was Francisco Julian Medina, 34, of Pocatello. Oneida County Coroner Brad Horsley said Medina died as a result of the accident.

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According to Medina’s obituary, he was “known for his lively spirit and was always the life of the party, making those around him laugh with his quirky jokes.”

Medina loved soccer, basketball and fishing, but his greatest pride was his three-year-old son.

“Francisco will forever be remembered for his infectious laugh, his love for his family and the joy he brought to everyone around him,” his obituary continued.

A GoFundMe has been created for Medina’s family to help them during this time. Click here to find out more.

As of Thursday afternoon, $1,790 had been raised of a $7,000 goal.

The accident occurred at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday on Interstate 15 in Oneida County.

According to Idaho State Police, a 2004 GMC Sierra was traveling southbound. The driver reportedly veered off the right shoulder and overcorrected, causing the vehicle to roll across the roadway.

According to ISP, it came to a stop in the median at its peak.

The driver, a 29-year-old man from Utah, was not wearing a seatbelt and was transported to a hospital by rescue helicopter. It is unknown what his current condition is.

The passenger, identified as Medina, was not wearing a seatbelt and died of his injuries at the scene, ISP said.

The crash is still under investigation.