Driver loses control, dies after braking for backed-up traffic on I-15


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SALT LAKE CITY — A 34-year-old woman died after losing control of her vehicle and crashing on I-15 Friday morning.

Traffic on I-15 was backed up near 600 South in the northbound lanes due to a grass fire, which had closed the right lane at about 7:35 a.m., and “typical rush-hour traffic,” according to the Utah Highway Patrol. Investigators reported that Amber Orencole, a Midvale resident, was driving in a middle northbound lane and lost control of a silver GMC pickup truck after encountering the congestion.

“The driver of the silver GMC hit her brakes, lost control and went sideways into the lane that was left of her,” a statement from UHP reads. “There was a white semi pulling a flatbed trailer that was unloaded traveling in that lane. The semi hit the GMC pickup in a T-bone-style type crash.”

Orencole died “instantly” in the accident, according to investigators. They said the pickup truck she was driving came to a stop against the concrete barrier in the left emergency lane.

Five northbound lanes of traffic were closed as of 10 a.m. for investigation of the crash, according to UHP. As of 11:45 a.m., all northbound I-15 lanes were reopened except for the HOV lane.

UTA recommended commuters use public transportation or take an alternate route.


Contact the author at ncrofts@ksl.com or find her on Twitter.

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Natalie Crofts

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