Residents express concern over Spanish Fork intersection where 2 girls hit
May 20, 2024, 6:33 AM | Updated: 7:10 am
Two teenage girls were hit by an SUV in Spanish Fork Saturday afternoon. Both girls are at Primary Children's in critical condition. (Spanish Fork Police Department)
(Spanish Fork Police Department)
SPANISH FORK, Utah — One day after two teenage girls were critically injured after being struck by a car in a Spanish Fork intersection, residents voiced their concerns over the safety of the intersection.
The two young girls were hit on Saturday at the intersection of 2300 East and Canyon Road while trying to cross a road. The girls ended up at Primary Children’s Hospital in critical condition.
People who live near the intersection said changes to improve safety at the intersection are long overdue.
The speed limit through the intersection is 45 mph. However, residences said motorists drive much faster than that.
Spanish Fork resident Christopher Carroll travels through the area countless times. On Saturday, however, vehicles came to a stop.
‘I couldn’t sleep’
“I couldn’t sleep last night I just keep thinking about it,” Carroll said to KSL TV. “I’m thinking about them right now and I’m hoping they’re going to be OK, but the medical side of me knows they probably are not.”
Carroll is a registered nurse, and did what he could to help the two young victims.
“I saw two bodies laying in the road so I knew it as serious so I pulled over and ran over as fast as I could,” he said. “… it broke my heart and I felt sick about how extremely injured they were.”
The account of witnesses
Witnesses told police the girls darted in front of a Kia Soul SUV trying to cross the road to the stores on the other side.
People who live in the area said they see close calls all the time.
“I see a lot of them that will cross and take their chance,” said resident Tiffani Atkinson.
Atkinson said she wouldn’t want to trade places with the driver.
“I can’t even imagine being that driver,” she said. “It must be horrific.”
