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PLEASANT GROVE — One person died and another was hospitalized Sunday after a two-vehicle crash on I-15, according to the Utah Highway Patrol.
About 2:30 p.m., a Toyota FJ Cruiser was traveling south on I-15 near Pleasant Grove when it struck the rear of a van that was parked in the right-hand emergency lane, according to Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Mary Kay Lucas.
The van caught fire on impact, and the collision sent the van across six lanes of traffic, coming to rest against the left barrier. The driver of the van was killed instantly, the sergeant said.
"There's not much left of the van at this point," Lucas said.
The victim was not identified Sunday.
The man driving the Toyota was taken to a local hospital for injuries that were not life-threatening, including "some broken bones," according to Lucas.
Several southbound lanes of I-15 were closed intermittently while police investigated the crash Sunday evening.
Lucas said accidents involving vehicles on the side of the road are "not unusual," and she urged motorists to use caution by taking the nearest exit during emergencies whenever possible.
"This is why we're always trying to make sure people get off the road," she said. "If they're pulled over, we need to make sure they get moved as soon as possible because they are a hazard and at risk of being struck like that. All you need is a distracted driver or somebody just to drift over slightly and not pay attention and they can be hit while they're parked on the side of the road."
