The year 2023 was the deadliest year on record for traffic fatalities involving cars and pedestrians, bicyclists, scooter riders and skateboarders. This statistic is true for both Idaho and nationwide. And true for Boise: In 2023, there were 13 fatal crashes in the city. The alarming statistics became a call to action, spurred on by the death of 16-year-old Jadin Zurawski on Aug. 3, 2023, said Boise City Council Member Jimmy Hallyburton.
“It was the deadliest year for people walking and biking in the country and Jadin’s crash was absolutely one of the worst,” Hallyburton said. “That one was very personal. Jadin could’ve been anybody’s kid. I have a 17-year-old at Boise High. It is absolutely heart wrenching. My heart goes out to the family.”
In September 2023, in response to the surge in crashes and fatalities, a Traffic Fatality Review Task Force, a coalition of the city of Boise, ACHD, the Boise Police Department and the community, was formed. This task force became part of Vision Zero, a growing movement across the country to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries.