Police Search for Hit-and-Run Driver Who Struck Mountain Home Juvenile

Students raise safety concerns about busy road near high school after incident

Apr. 14, 2026 at 11:35pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a damaged traffic signal light or crosswalk sign, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the safety issues faced by students in the area.A damaged traffic signal or crosswalk sign serves as a stark reminder of the hit-and-run incident that has raised safety concerns for students in Mountain Home.Mountain Home Today

Police in Mountain Home, Idaho are searching for a driver who hit a juvenile near Mountain Home High School and fled the scene on Tuesday morning. The crash happened around 7:30 a.m. as the minor was crossing American Legion Boulevard. Authorities say the driver failed to stop, struck the pedestrian, and left the area. The minor's guardian took the child to a medical facility and then reported the incident to police, who say no 911 call was made at the time of the crash, delaying their response by an hour and a half. Students at the high school, including Miley Liebegott, have expressed safety concerns about the busy road where the incident occurred, citing previous close calls and a high number of crashes in the area.

Why it matters

This hit-and-run incident has raised awareness about pedestrian safety concerns near Mountain Home High School, where students regularly walk to and from campus along a busy road that has seen a high number of crashes in recent years. The delayed police response also highlights the importance of prompt reporting of such incidents to authorities.

The details

According to the Mountain Home police chief, the crash happened around 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday when a juvenile was crossing American Legion Boulevard near North 11th Street. The driver failed to stop, struck the pedestrian, and fled the scene. The minor's guardian took the child to a medical facility and then went to the police station to file a report, but no 911 call was made at the time of the incident, delaying the police response by an hour and a half. The involved minor did not appear to have any serious injuries.

  • The crash happened around 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
  • The police response was delayed by an hour and a half because no 911 call was made at the time of the incident.

The players

Mountain Home Police Department

The local law enforcement agency investigating the hit-and-run incident and searching for the driver who fled the scene.

Miley Liebegott

A student at Mountain Home High School who expressed safety concerns about the busy road where the incident occurred, citing previous close calls and a high number of crashes in the area.

Idaho Department of Transportation

The state agency that reported 19 crashes within a few blocks of the incident location in 2025, one of which caused serious injury.

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What they’re saying

“Then I called her, and I was like, 'You really want me to walk home like after someone just got hit?' and she's like, 'yeah, that's true,' like I don't really know how safe this is.”

— Miley Liebegott, Mountain Home High School student

“A lot of cars don't pay attention, I've almost been hit a couple of times. The stories of just this crosswalk, me getting almost hit, is absolutely insane.”

— Miley Liebegott, Mountain Home High School student

What’s next

Police are still searching for the suspect vehicle, which they believe may be a black SUV or a blue passenger car. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Mountain Home Police Department at 208-599-4030.

The takeaway

This hit-and-run incident highlights the ongoing safety concerns for pedestrians, especially students, near Mountain Home High School. It underscores the need for improved traffic safety measures, such as crosswalks with crossing guards or stop signs, to protect vulnerable road users in the area.