Crime

Garbage truck driver cited for manslaughter after Boise crash killed motorcyclist

A man was cited with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter after Boise police said he drove a garbage truck through an intersection and collided with a motorcyclist.
A man was cited with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter after Boise police said he drove a garbage truck through an intersection and collided with a motorcyclist.

The Boise Police Department has cited a 56-year-old driver with a misdemeanor months after authorities said he drove through an intersection and collided with a motorcyclist, who later died.

At around 12:30 p.m. Sept. 9, the Nampa man was driving a garbage truck north on South Millbrook Way in Boise when the motorcyclist, traveling west on East Warm Springs Avenue, struck the passenger side of the garbage truck, according to police.

While the driver of the garbage truck stopped at the intersection, he then drove through the intersection as the motorcycle rider — identified as John Liller — had the right of way, the department said in a news release. Drivers on Warm Springs Avenue do not have stop signs at that intersection.

Despite medical attention at the scene, Liller died from his injuries. He was 73.

Months after the crash police said in the release they had completed their investigation and cited the driver with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter in late January. Under Idaho law, the driver could face up to a year in jail and a $2,000 fine.

A Google Maps image of the intersection of South Millbrook Way and East Warm Springs Avenue in Boise.
A Google Maps image of the intersection of South Millbrook Way and East Warm Springs Avenue in Boise. Google Maps


BEHIND THE STORY

MORE

Why we aren't naming all suspects

The Idaho Statesman doesn’t always name the suspect in crime stories. Our general practice, implemented in February 2022, is that we only name suspects when we are committed to following a case through the criminal justice system. That ensures that if charges are reduced or dismissed, or the person is acquitted, our reporting will reflect that. We made this decision as part of our Clean Slate project, which creates a pathway for people whose minor crimes were reported by us in the past to have those stories de-indexed so they don’t show up in Google searches. We also can always decide to name the suspect later if appropriate. Learn more about our Clean Slate project here.

Also of note, we generally don’t publish booking mugshots of arrestees. Those have been shown to have lasting effects on the people photographed and marginalized communities. Exceptions must be approved by a senior editor.

Related Stories from Idaho Statesman
Alex Brizee
Idaho Statesman
Alex Brizee covers criminal justice for the Idaho Statesman. A Miami native and a University of Idaho graduate, she has lived all over the United States. Go Vandals! In her free time, she loves pad Thai, cuddling with her dog and strong coffee. Support my work with a digital subscription
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER