UTAH

Deadly crash on I-15 occurred Wednesday due to bad weather

Feb 17, 2021, 7:33 PM | Updated: 7:37 pm

(Wreckage from fatal crash on northbound I-15 in Salt Lake City.  One woman was killed, her family ...

(Wreckage from fatal crash on northbound I-15 in Salt Lake City. One woman was killed, her family members were not seriously hurt. Credit: Paul Nelson)

(Wreckage from fatal crash on northbound I-15 in Salt Lake City. One woman was killed, her family members were not seriously hurt. Credit: Paul Nelson)

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A deadly crash on Utah’s freeways occurred Wednesday afternoon because of the bad weather. Highway Patrol officials reported they’ve looked into hundreds of crashes over the past several days, including one that killed a woman driving with her family in Salt Lake City.

The fatal crash happened Wednesday afternoon when a woman was driving north on I-15 approaching the westbound I-80 interchange.  Investigators believe the driver was in the left lane but wanted to merge onto I-80. She then made sudden lane shifts at a high rate of speed.

Utah Highway Patrol Trooper Mikki Vargas said, “She hit a patch of ice and, ultimately, rolled her vehicle several times coming to a stop against the barrier.”

The woman was reportedly not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected out of the car and off the freeway, altogether. She was rushed to the hospital in critical condition but later died from her injuries. The rest of her family wasn’t seriously injured.

“The husband was sitting in the front passenger seat with no [significant] injuries, just a minor shoulder injury. The kids were, fortunately, both buckled and secured in their car seats. They did not have any injuries,” Vargas said.

(UHP troopers investigating the deadly rollover in Salt Lake City. Credit: Paul Nelson)

This was just one of the hundreds of accidents UHP has investigated all over the state since last weekend. Lieutenant Nick Street says they’ve handled over 650 crashes and slide-offs since Saturday, with 219 happening on Wednesday, alone.

So far one crash was reportedly deadly due to the bad weather on Wednesday. 

During the most intense part of Wednesday’s storm, Street says Tooele County and Utah County were the most active hotspots for traffic problems.

“Utah County saw a number of crashes, even a ten-car [pile-up], an overturned semi and a crash with some pretty serious injuries down in Provo,” Street said.

At one point, UHP had to temporarily shut down southbound I-15 in Utah County because of a semi rollover.

He said, “We were able to open up a couple of lanes, but traffic had already snarled behind that.”

Street believes every time a heavy snowstorm hits Utah after a long, dry stretch, it takes people a few days to remember how to drive in bad weather. He added many people may have overlooked things like replacing their tires for the snow.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Utah

Killer Mike poses in the press room with three trophies he won at the 66th annual Grammy Awards on ...

Carter Williams, KSL.com

Recent Grammy winners highlight Ogden Twilight Concert Series lineup

Hip hop star Michael Render, known by his stage name Killer Mike, fresh off of three Grammy Award wins last month, is one of several musical artists set to headline this year's Ogden Twilight Concert Series.

4 hours ago

pets...

Curt Gresseth

Don’t surrender pets to a shelter. Send in a pro to reverse bad behavior, says Utah trainer

An expert discusses controlling the unwanted behavior of pets.

7 hours ago

Exclusive video obtained by KSL NewsRadio shows Salt Lake hit-and-run in the Avenues neighborhood. ...

Eric Cabrera

WATCH: Exclusive video shows woman survives Salt Lake City hit and run

KSL NewsRadio has exclusively obtained footage of a Salt Lake City hit-and-run, where a woman was struck while out for a run in the Avenues.

7 hours ago

(Eric Cabrera, KSL NewsRadio)...

Simone Seikaly

Possible carjacking in West Valley City leads to car fire, ramp closure

The UHP said a car was following another car eastbound on the 201 and moved onto the ramp toward NB I-15 when one car rolled and caught fire.

10 hours ago

(Loren Richardson via KSL.com)...

Simone Seikaly

Brighton resident charged with aggravated assault for confronting snowboarder

According to court documents, and based on witness accounts, Brighton resident Keith Robert Stebbings threatened a snowboarder with a shotgun.

11 hours ago

Four cats relaxing on chairs and a cat tree at Fawn's Family Rescue...

Heather Peterson

Fawn’s Family Rescue provides lounge to relax with adoptable cats

Fawn's Family Rescue recently opened its doors in Bountiful. The new cat lounge provides a comfortable way for people to hang out with feline friends.

14 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

Deadly crash on I-15 occurred Wednesday due to bad weather