Base officer injured in Airbase Road accident

An officer assigned to Mountain Home Air Force Base was being treated for critical injuries Tuesday after a two-vehicle accident on Airbase Road, about two miles south of Mountain Home, Monday evening.

According to Idaho State Police, Mickey McConnell, 43, of Twin Falls, was headed north at about 6 p.m. Monday on SH67 in a 1989 International Semi, pulling a 1977 flatbed trailer. Brian Silva, 25, a first lieutenant with the 389th Fighter Squadron on base, was also northbound on SH67 in a 1969 Ford Mustang when McConnell attempted to make a U-turn on SH67.

Silva's vehicle struck the driver's side of the commercial vehicle.

Silva was trapped within his vehicle and had to be extricated by rescue personnel. He was taken by ground ambulance to Elmore Medical Center where he was then taken by air ambulance to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise where he is being treated for critical injuries.

McConnell was not injured in the crash. He was taken into custody and booked into the Elmore County Jail for driving without privileges.

Both drivers were wearing seatbelts.

The crash remains under investigation.