‘Gifted’ musician at University of Idaho dies in weekend collision on Highway 95
A senior at the University of Idaho has been identified as the person killed in a Sunday car crash near New Meadows.
Samson Matthews, of Boise, was majoring in music composition at the college, was a “gifted” musician and played several instruments, according to an email sent by Blaine Eckles, dean of students, to the university’s faculty and students on Wednesday.
“As a community, we collectively mourn Samson’s passing and share our condolences to their family and friends who are most impacted by their death,” Eckles wrote.
The 22-year-old was driving a 2010 Mazda5 southbound on Highway 95 north of New Meadows just after 7 p.m. Sunday when they collided with a northbound tractor-trailer, according to a news release from the Idaho State Police.
Matthews’ identity was confirmed Thursday by the Adams County Coroner.
The driver of the big rig, a 2015 Freightliner pulling a flatbed, was taken to a local hospital, the release said.
Wreckage and the subsequent investigation forced closure of the highway for more than five hours, with the Idaho State Police updating its original report at 12:40 a.m. Monday with confirmation that US 95 was back open in both directions.
This story was originally published November 18, 2021 at 8:23 PM.
