Austin Summers, 31, was allegedly filming an Instagram story and browsing on Amazon when he crashed his GMC pickup truck into the back of a Ford F-450 on Interstate 84 in Idaho, killing his 7-year-old son who wasn't wearing a seat belt, according to police.
Background
The crash occurred during Thanksgiving week in November 2025 on westbound Interstate 84. Authorities say Summers was traveling at speeds of 73 to 75 mph in a 65 mph zone when he slammed into a Ford F-450 that was moving at approximately 7 mph with its hazard lights activated due to a mechanical issue, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by the Idaho Statesman and NBC affiliate KTVB.
Summers had been drafting an Instagram 'story' about heavy traffic while driving on Interstate 84 before the collision. The caption read in part: 'Avoid th[e] freeway heading ...,' according to the affidavit. He was also scrolling through Instagram, browsing Amazon, and viewing photos on his phone moments before the crash occurred.
Summers allegedly captured video and a photograph of a separate crash he observed on the interstate just minutes before his own collision, the Idaho Statesman reports.
The Charges
Summers has been charged with vehicular manslaughter and two counts of injury to child in connection with the death of his oldest son, Graham Summers, 7. His two younger sons, ages 3 and 5, were also in the vehicle and sustained injuries during the crash.
Blood tests conducted after the incident revealed cocaine and opiates in Summers' system at the time of the collision, according to police. A crash reconstruction specialist with the Idaho State Police determined that Summers' reckless driving—including cellphone use, excessive speed, and failure to ensure passenger safety—caused the fatal collision.
According to investigators, Graham was not wearing a seat belt and was sitting in the passenger seat while his younger siblings were restrained in the back seat. The affidavit states that Graham's mother told police Summers had a history of driving with their children unbuckled, and she provided photos and videos showing the kids without seat belts.
In a May 2026 court filing, Summers acknowledged the tragedy but disputed impairment claims. 'While I am devastated by the loss of my son, I take responsibility not in that I was impaired by any means, or that [Graham] unilaterally took his seatbelt off while I was driving on the freeway, but that I should have immediately pulled over and made sure he was properly buckled,' he wrote. 'That will haunt me forever.'
Key Takeaways
- Graham Summers, 7, died from multiple blunt-force injuries according to his autopsy
- Austin Summers allegedly admitted to investigators that Graham was not wearing a seat belt in the passenger seat at the time of the crash
- Blood tests revealed cocaine and opiates in the father's system
- Investigators say Summers captured an Instagram story about traffic while driving before the collision
- The father claimed he had no recollection of the crash when speaking with police
- Graham's mother allegedly told investigators that Summers was known to drive with children unbuckled
What's Next
Summers is expected to appear in court as the case moves forward. His attorney has indicated plans to contest the charges, particularly the impairment allegations. Court proceedings will continue in Canyon County, where prosecutors will present evidence including the crash reconstruction analysis and toxicology results. The case remains pending, and no trial date had been set at time of publication.