Meridian man killed in U-Haul explosion outside Old Navy in Lewiston parking lot
A 61-year-old Meridian man, Douglas R. Petersen, died Saturday morning after a U-Haul cargo-box explosion involving propane outside an Old Navy in Lewiston. Authorities describe the blast as accidental; investigations into the source are ongoing.
- Victim identified: Douglas R. Petersen, 61, of Meridian, Idaho, per the Nez Perce County Coroner’s Office and KLEW-TV/CBS2.
- When and where: About 7:15 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in the parking lot outside Old Navy at a Lewiston shopping center (KLEW-TV/CBS2).
- Preliminary cause: Officials say the blast involved propane in the truck’s cargo box and is being treated as accidental based on early findings (KLEW-TV/CBS2).
What happened
Local media and officials reported the explosion occurred in the parking lot of an Old Navy store in a Lewiston shopping center just after 7 a.m. Saturday. Early accounts identified a U-Haul truck as the vehicle involved; the Nez Perce County Coroner’s Office later named the deceased as Douglas R. Petersen, 61, of Meridian.
Investigators say the blast involved propane contained in the truck’s cargo box and have described the event as accidental based on preliminary findings. Officials cautioned those findings are early; authorities continue to examine what ignited the propane and how the fuel came to be in the cargo area. The first published report with these details is from KLEW-TV/CBS2.
Investigative status and official accounts
Officials have characterized the blast as accidental in preliminary briefings. The Nez Perce County Coroner’s Office provided victim identification and confirmed a single fatality. Local law enforcement and investigative teams are working to determine the exact sequence that led to the explosion.
As of initial updates, authorities had not released a detailed timeline of evidence collection or named agencies leading specialized forensic analysis beyond local investigative units. Investigators typically examine whether hazardous materials were declared, how items were stowed, and whether ignition sources — such as electrical faults, open flames, or mechanical heat — were present.
“Officials say the presence of propane in the truck’s cargo box will be a central line of inquiry.”
Safety, legal and operational questions
The incident raises practical and legal questions about transporting flammable materials in rental trucks. Rental companies and state safety regulators generally have rules about moving hazardous materials, including propane tanks, compressed gases, and other flammable items. Investigators will likely review rental agreements, any renter disclosures, and proper storage practices inside the cargo box.
Key lines of inquiry include whether the truck was recently rented, whether the renter understood the risks of transporting propane, and whether U-Haul personnel or corporate representatives have been interviewed. Authorities have not released information on corporate interviews at the time of initial reporting (KLEW-TV/CBS2).
Impact at the scene and community response
Initial reporting emphasized the immediate facts: a blast in a busy retail parking lot, one confirmed fatality and investigators on scene. Local residents and shoppers were shaken. Officials stressed the preliminary nature of findings and asked the public to allow investigators to complete their work.
Because the shopping center sits near the Washington border, the explosion drew attention from nearby communities on both sides of the Snake River. While exact details on property damage or the number of vehicles affected were not provided in first reports, the nature of a cargo-box blast containing propane suggests potential for significant localized damage to vehicles and storefronts.
Implications for Walla Walla, Washington
Economic and commercial concerns: The blast could raise anxiety among Walla Walla shoppers and business owners who rely on safe regional retail corridors. Residents who cross state lines to shop or move goods may demand clearer safety standards from moving companies.
Traffic and transport: The event underscores risks when moving households across communities; residents who transport propane should follow rental rules and safety protocols. Local agencies may review cross-border emergency response plans to ensure coordination.
Public safety and trust: The incident highlights the need to support first responders through training, mutual-aid agreements, and public education about transporting hazardous household items.
Practical advice for residents
- Check rental rules: If you rent a cargo truck, ask staff about restrictions on transporting propane and other flammable items before loading.
- Store properly: Keep propane cylinders upright and in proper containers; follow manufacturer and retailer instructions.
- Report hazards: Report damaged or leaking cylinders to emergency services; avoid handling visibly compromised tanks.
- Plan and share: Keep a safety kit and an emergency plan while moving; share your route and timeline with family or friends.
Sources and reporting
This article is based on reporting from the Nez Perce County Coroner’s Office and KLEW-TV/CBS2. Initial reporting and updates are available at KLEW-TV/CBS2.
Investigative follow-up
Local and regional agencies will continue forensic analysis of the vehicle and cargo contents. Officials have described the event as accidental based on early findings, but a final cause determination and any enforcement actions will depend on ongoing investigative work and the coroner’s conclusions.
Readers are advised to monitor official notices from the Nez Perce County Coroner’s Office and local law enforcement for updates.
