2 injured when vehicle collides with UDOT truck I-80


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PARLEYS CANYON — Two people were injured when Toyota Highlander struck a Utah Department of Transportation truck on I-80 Tuesday.

The driver of the Toyota is in extremely critical condition, according to Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Todd Royce. He said a UDOT Incident Management Team member, who sustained minor injuries, was responding to an accident on the westbound side of I-80 near Lambs Canyon when the collision occurred at about 12 p.m.

The UDOT worker, who was outside his truck directing traffic, saw that an oncoming vehicle was going to crash and jumped into his truck to get out of the way, Royce said.

Lt. Jeff Nigbur said the UDOT employee didn't have much time to react once he noticed the Toyota coming toward him at a "high rate of speed."

"He got in his IMT truck and accelerated as fast as he could, trying to get out of this guy's way," Nigbur said.

The vehicle slammed into the back of the UDOT truck, injuring the driver of the Toyota.

Witness Jenniffer McCarthy saw the accident and tried to help the driver.

"He was writhing in pain. His left leg was just pinned against the front pillar of the dash," McCarthy said.

She said she tried to make sure his neck was stable and his airway was clear before first responders arrived. The driver was transported to a local hospital after he was extricated from the vehicle.

McCarthy said the Toyota didn't appear to slow down or show signs of reaction as it traveled toward the UDOT vehicle.

"There was absolutely no reaction from the driver, and the car — the Highlander — just smashed into the back of the Incident Management truck and just kind of ricocheted off to the right," McCarthy said.

Investigators are including speed, weather and distraction factors in their investigation, Nigbur said.

I-80 was closed at Lambs Canyon while investigators respond to the scene. One lane was cleared enough to start letting traffic through at about 2 p.m.

Contributing:McKenzie Romero

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