Six Killed On Utah Roadways Over The Weekend

SALT LAKE CITY — It was a deadly weekend on Utah’s roads. Officials with the Utah Highway Patrol reported five separate crashes, resulting in six deaths on Saturday and Sunday.

This weekend our Troopers have responded to five separate fatal crashes, resulting in six deaths on Utah’s highways. These are tragic and have involved horrible circumstances. As we finish this travel weekend please watch your speed, buckle up, avoid distractions, and be safe.

— Michael Rapich (@ColonelRapich) August 8, 2021

One Killed In Crash On I-70

A woman was killed Saturday after her vehicle went off the road on Interstate 70 near Salina in Sevier County, according to a Department of Public Safety statement.

Officials said the woman, who was driving a black Dodge Durango, turned sharply for an unknown reason and went off the road, rolling the vehicle multiple times.

She was wearing a seat belt, according to DPS officials, but she died at the scene.

A male passenger was able to get back to the interstate and wave down traffic.

Police said that passenger told officers he was uncertain how long he had been in the vehicle after the crash.

Investigators said they were looking into impairment as a possible cause in the crash.

Kanarraville Crash Kills One

A fatal crash in Washington County started when a driver fell asleep and drifted into a semi-truck, which was pulling a cargo trailer, on Interstate 15.

The driver lost control of his vehicle, which eventually came to rest in one of the lanes.

The semi-truck slowed down to avoid hitting the Chevrolet Cruze, but a Nissan Rogue, which was not involved in the original crash, did not maneuver in time and rear-ended the semi’s trailer.

The driver of the Nissan died upon impact and the other passenger was taken to the hospital in serious condition.

Motorcyclist Killed in Morgan County

A 67-year-old motorcyclist was killed in a crash on Interstate 84 in Morgan County.

Officials with the Utah Highway Patrol said the man went off the road and into a cable barrier.

He died at a local hospital following surgery.

Bride Killed in Crash Hours After Wedding

In Salt Lake City, a woman was on her way home from her own wedding Saturday around 1 a.m.

“She went to go drop her wedding gifts off and she was on her way back to the party. She was not even a mile away,” said Tayler Craft.

A Silver Toyota was driving the wrong way on I-15 near 1700 South and struck a gray Toyota Corolla that 26-year-old Angelica Dhondup was driving with her 20-year-old niece.

Dhondup, who was a mother of three children, died shortly after the crash.

The 20-year-old survived and was taken to a local hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

Police said the wrong-way driver, who was allegedly driving drunk, stole a good Samaritan’s truck and fled the scene.

He escaped with only minor injuries.

Officers caught up to the driver, 36-year-old Manaure Gonzalez-Rea, on Sunday and booked him into the Salt Lake County Jail on several charges.

UPDATE: A 36-year-old man was arrested and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on several charges after troopers said he was involved in a wrong-way crash on I-15 that killed a new bride.

📷: UHP

Details: https://t.co/zUzOnxT38y pic.twitter.com/9xzI2zPia4

— KSL 5 TV (@KSL5TV) August 9, 2021

Two Killed in Spanish Fork Canyon Crash

Two cars collided head-on Saturday night on U.S. 6 in Spanish Fork Canyon, according to UHP.

A Mazda3 with two people inside was traveling east when it crossed into the westbound lane, hitting an Audi A5 with two people inside.

Both the driver and passenger inside the Mazda died at the scene.

The driver and passenger of the Audi were taken by helicopter to a hospital and are expected to be alright.

All were wearing seatbelts.

With all the crashes, Trooper Colton Freckleton reminded Utahns to wear their seatbelt.

“One of the biggest things we always push is seatbelts, seatbelts, seatbelts,” he said. “That’s something that’s always going to save lives.”

He also said increasing following distance and reducing speed will ultimately reduce overall crashes and fatalities.

Utah Highway Patrol said it will give more information about the crashes Monday morning.