HUNTSVILLE, Utah — The driver of a dump truck died after his vehicle went into Pineview Reservoir in Huntsville Friday afternoon.
Utah Highway Patrol said the accident happened shortly before 4 p.m. The truck, loaded with fill dirt, was traveling north on Trappers Loop Road on a steep downhill slope, approaching State Route 39.
The driver was unable to stop and went through the intersection, through a grass field, down a steep embankment and into the reservoir.
"The frontmost portion of the dump truck was covered in water, and then also a lot of dirt that came from the load also came out," UHP Sgt. Brandon Whitehead said.
Witnesses said it appeared the truck lost its brakes; they said the driver was braking the whole time, but smoke could be seen coming from the wheel hubs. The driver also tried to slow down by going onto the "soft shoulder," UHP said.
A dive team was brought in, and the driver was eventually found dead inside the truck cab, according to UHP. He was a man, but his name has not been released. UHP later said he was from Mexico, and most of his family still lives there.
As of 6:30 p.m., the truck had been pulled out of the water.
"Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the single occupant involved in this devastating incident. During this difficult time, we extend our sincere condolences and support," the Weber Fire District wrote in a Facebook post. "Let's keep the community in our thoughts as we come together to support one another. Please drive safely, and stay vigilant on the roads!"
Whitehead told FOX 13 News this isn't the first time an incident like this has happened at this intersection.
"There was about two years ago, maybe within the last six months, there was another crash with a commercial vehicle that was pulling a trailer. That one just turned out to be injury," he said.
Jennifer Fisher, a Provo resident, says she vacations at Pineview Reservoir every year.
"We were just out boating and we saw the boat, the police boat hauling over here," said Fisher. "We did our thing watching around, and also we heard sirens."
While in the boat, Fisher says they weren't able to get too close to where they saw the police heading.
"We could see the guys going down the hill to try to see, to figure out how to get that dump truck out of the water," she said. "As we drove by to see the dump truck being pulled out, it just made us worried."
Fisher said she has never seen an accident like this in Huntsville before.
"Beautiful place, quiet, and so just unfortunate when you see things like this happen," she said.
