Salt Lake County, UT- I-80 Accident Update Today; One person in critical condition after crash with horse trailer, police say: A serious accident occurred on westbound I-80 on Monday afternoon, resulting in one person being airlifted to a nearby hospital in serious to critical condition. According to the Utah Highway Patrol (UHP), the incident took place around 3 p.m. when reports came in of a car driving recklessly on westbound I-80. Witnesses noted that the vehicle had been driving erratically, even crashing through a deer fence off the road.
Several good Samaritans stopped to assist following the initial crash. However, the situation took a dangerous turn when the driver made a U-turn and reentered I-80, driving in the wrong direction. Tragically, the wrong-way vehicle collided head-on with a pick-up truck hauling a horse trailer near 5600 West and 8300 West. The driver of the wrong-way vehicle sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to a local hospital. The occupants of the truck, including the driver and passengers, suffered minor injuries. One passenger was transported to the hospital as a precaution. Fortunately, the horses in the trailer were unharmed.
The accident prompted a significant emergency response, with community members, including nurses, providing immediate aid to the injured. Sgt. Eric Burdett of the UHP expressed appreciation for the help rendered by these individuals. The westbound lanes of I-80 were closed for nearly an hour to facilitate the emergency response and crash investigation. By 5:45 p.m., one lane was reopened, and UHP officials anticipated completing the on-scene investigation shortly thereafter. While the exact cause of the accident remains under investigation, UHP officials suspect that impairment may have been a factor. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of reckless driving and the importance of road safety.
