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SALT LAKE CITY — Two teenage girls not wearing seat belts were hospitalized Tuesday when they were ejected from a car during a rollover accident on the I-80 freeway, the Utah Highway Patrol reported.
The rollover occurred about 8 p.m. and troopers closed eastbound I-80 near 5600 West.
A pickup truck traveling from California to Ohio rolled several times after a possible mechanical failure, said UHP Sgt. Todd Royce. The 36-year-old male driver, who was wearing a seat belt, suffered minor injuries.
Two 16-year-old girls who were not wearing seat belts were ejected from the vehicle. One girl was transported to Intermountain Medical Center in critical condition. The other girl was taken to Primary Children's Hospital in serious condition.
Police believe the accident was caused by a mechanical failure after talking with the driver. Authorities do not believe fatigue was a factor, but the cause of the rollover was still under investigation.
No other vehicles were involved in the accident.
"If there is anything to take away from this, please wear your seat belts. We can't say that enough," Royce said. "It's all about seat belts."
