EAGLE MOUNTAIN, Utah — A multi-vehicle crash in Eagle Mountain shut down traffic in both directions on SR-73 for a few hours Wednesday.
The Utah County Sheriff's Office said a driver of a pickup truck tried passing other vehicles on the road when it hit an oncoming pickup truck head-on. Following the initial crash, four other vehicles became involved in the incident.
Two people in the pickup heading in the opposite direction had to be extricated from the truck and were transported to the hospital, although the extent of their injuries is not known.
The driver of the first pickup truck that attempted to pass was issued a citation for improper passing, failure to give the right of way and having no insurance.
Three of the vehicles were towed from the scene, with at least one being declared a total loss.
The road was reopened at 4:45 p.m.
The crash was preventable for two reasons, Sgt. Spencer Cannon said. The driver, who did not have insurance, nor registration, on his car, hit another truck almost head-on because he was trying to pass on the two-lane road.
“What an overall tragedy that one they were injured by somebody who shouldn't have been driving in the first place,” he said. “if you're driving without insurance that and you get in a crash, that's 100% preventable, because you should not have been driving without insurance. If you make a decision about a traffic maneuver that turns out to be a bad decision, or you you misjudged it, then that is a 100% preventable crash.”
“For those who didn't have uninsured motorist coverage, then, then it becomes a bigger deal that they, on their own, have to go after that driver for reimbursement and paying for the repairs on their cars, but more importantly, for those who were more seriously injured their medical care,” said Sgt. Cannon.
Mark Pierce with Pierce Driving School tells students you should only pass in legal passing zones if they cannot see any oncoming cars, he said.
“We try to teach you don't really make a move unless you have to make a move,” said Pierce.
It is illegal in Utah to drive an uninsured car.
“It puts a big risk,” said Pierce. “What goes around, comes around. You don't want to have insurance, and all of a sudden, you get in an accident, and then you think it's going to affect, well, it's going to be the same at some time. You want everybody to be insured and be safe.”
