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MAGNA — Police have identified two men who were killed after they were struck by a vehicle while standing outside a truck that had apparently broken down on the shoulder of state Route 201 road Wednesday.
Abel Arellano, 49, of West Valley City, and Armando Arellano-Fregoso, 52, also of West Valley City were killed in the accident, according to Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Todd Royce.
The two men were brothers, Royce added.
Royce said Arellano and Arellano-Fregoso standing outside two vehicles, one pickup truck and one car, parked behind each other off state Route 201 near 10200 West just after 1 p.m. The hood of a full-size pickup truck was up and the two men were standing next to each vehicle, apparently getting tools out of a car to change a flat tire on the pickup.
At that time, a third car lost control and struck the car and pushed it into the back of the pickup, crushing both Arellano and Arellano-Fregoso, according to investigators. The two men were killed instantly, Royce said.
Royce said the driver of the third vehicle was transported to a Tooele hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries. The area where the two men were hit is near a curve in the road. Royce said it appeared the driver who caused the fatal crash just "straightened the curve." Why the man didn't stay in his lane was under investigation Wednesday.
The incident marks the third major crash for the Utah Highway Patrol in less than 24 hours, resulting in at least four deaths and five injuries, including one person hospitalized in extremely critical condition.
Royce said the incident is a reminder for all motorists to slow down and move over a lane when approaching someone who is broken down on the side of the road. He also encouraged those experiencing car problems to pull over in the safest area possible.
