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Provo man, 18, dies in Utah County ‘racing’ crash

Posted at 5:57 PM, Oct 07, 2019
and last updated 2019-10-07 23:52:31-04

UTAH COUNTY, Utah — An 18-year-old driver died Monday evening in a rollover crash in Utah County, and a witness told a Utah Highway Patrol investigator the victim may have been racing another driver.

According to UHP, the crash happened around 5:15 on SR-147 (5600 W) near 8000 S, northwest of Payson.

Eric E. Blackham, of Provo, was driving a blue 1975 Ford F25, and the other driver was in a white 2004 Chevy Silverado.

A news release from UHP said both vehicles were traveling north when the Chevy pulled up alongside the Ford.

“Witness stated there appeared to be a mutual racing type occurrence between the two vehicles. While exhibiting speed, a side swipe crash occurred,” the news release said.

The Ford truck went off the left side of the road, then off the right side and rolled. Blackham was ejected from the truck and died at the scene. A younger passenger in the Ford was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. No one in the Chevy was injured.