HOTRAIL PRODUCTIONS: Canyon County Coroner identifies family killed in train crash

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Canyon County Coroner identifies family killed in train crash

The coroner on Tuesday identified the two adults and two minors from Nampa that died after their vehicle collided with a train near Notus.

BOISE, Idaho — The Canyon County Coroner on Tuesday identified the four people from Nampa that died after their vehicle was hit by a train near Notus on Saturday, April 13.

Idaho State Police said the family was traveling in a Chevrolet Silverado on a private road that intersects with a railroad crossing in Canyon County. The driver, identified as 38-year-old Benjamin Maupin, failed to yield and the truck was hit by an oncoming train.

All four people in the vehicle died at the scene of the crash, according to ISP. The crash happened around 8:20 a.m. Saturday near US-20 at milepost 17.

The coroner identified the victims as Benjamin Maupin, 35-year-old Kapri Maupin and their two children, 17-year-old Kayden Maupin and 11-year-old Ryder Maupin.

"This event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to traffic regulations and exercising caution when navigating railway crossings," Canyon County Coroner Jennifer Crawford said. "Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones affected by this heartbreaking loss."

The coroner on Tuesday also said the crash has "left the community reeling in shock," and "the family's untimely passing has cast a somber shadow over the region."

The Maupin family owned the Mint Barrel Barn Event Center, a popular wedding venue in Canyon County, according to social media posts from the business and its website.

A statement from an employee of Mint Barrel Barn is included below:

It is with deep sadness that we announce the loss of Ben and Kapri Maupin, owners of the Mint Barrel Barn, and their two beautiful children, Kayden and Ryder Maupin. After many years of planning, renovations, and hard work, together, they made the barn what it is today. Our hearts are forever broken and we will never be the same, but we will be continuing with all scheduled events, tours, and future events, just as Kapri and her family would want.

My name is Reina, and I was blessed to be able to work beside Kapri for close to two years, although it feels like I’ve known her for a lifetime. I will be taking over the operations of the venue, and am so honored to be able to do so for my sweet friend and her family. I have some pretty big shoes to fill, but I will do my absolute best to make Kapri proud.