WASATCH COUNTY, Utah — A semi-truck went into Deer Creek Reservoir Monday evening and after hours of searching, the body of the driver was recovered as crews lifted the cab out of the water.
Utah Highway Patrol said the truck was traveling south on U.S. Highway 189 when it lost control on an especially steep curve and jackknifed, then hit a guardrail and plunged into the lake.
Tuesday afternoon, officials reported that the adult male driver, later identified as 62-year-old Richard Bowman of Torrey, was located deceased inside the cab of the truck as it was lifted out of the reservoir.
VIDEO: Watch as the fully submerged cab is pulled out of Deer Creek Reservoir
A pair of giant cranes were seen in the area to help lift the truck out of the water, as dozens of first responders stood nearby watching.
After the crash, the highway was closed in both directions for the whole night and most of Tuesday. It was back reopened at 6:15 p.m.
Since Bowman's body has been recovered and the truck has been lifted from the area, further efforts can be made to clean up the mess left by the crash.
Fire Chief Eric Hales of the Wasatch Fire District said the truck was hauling 12,000 gallons of propane, which dissipated into the atmosphere at the time of the crash. However, since propane is heavier than air, Hales said officials were concerned that the propane would end up in the reservoir.
The truck was also carrying 130 gallons of diesel fuel, which leaked into the water.
Absorption booms and curtains have been placed in the reservoir to help soak up the mess and water conservancy officials are at the scene to lend their expertise and assistance in mitigation efforts.
Deer Creek Reservoir is part of the drinking water system, but officials said they contained the spill and will work more to clean it out once the driver is recovered and the truck is removed from the reservoir.
So far, the crash has not had any impact on drinking water supply or quality, officials report.
Officials asked for patience as they said they understood the inconvenience of the closure but must conduct a thorough investigation into the crash.
