07/07/09

NEW MEADOWS, Idaho (AP) _ The Idaho State Police says an Adams
County Deputy killed in a car accident while on patrol near
Tamarack was not wearing a safety belt.

The 35-year-old deputy, Monte ``Leroy'' Matthews of New Meadows,
died from his injuries at the scene of the crash Monday.

Idaho law requires adult drivers to wear seat belts.

In a press release, the Idaho State Police says Matthews'
cruiser was struck by a 2003 Honda Odyssey Minivan traveling south
on U.S. Highway 95.

Police say the driver of the minivan, 39-year-old Mark Zampogna,
and his three passengers _ 35-year-old Jennifer Zampogna,
9-year-old Nicole Zampogna and 7-year-old Dominic Zampogna _ were
wearing seat belts and taken to area hospitals.

The crash is under investigation.

Ada County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Andrea Dearden says
Matthews, a Marine veteran, had been with the agency for about five
years and before that he worked for the Grangeville Police
Department.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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