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SUMMIT COUNTY -- A deadly crash on Interstate 80 near Parley's Summit has some commuters asking when the Utah Department of Transportation will install median barriers on that stretch of the freeway.
The crash happened Saturday night when the driver of a westbound Jeep Cherokee lost control, crossed over the median, launched into the air and hit an eastbound Volkswagen Jetta on the driver's side.
The driver of the Jetta, 45-year-old Bruce McGowan, was killed in the accident.
That stretch of road near the summit has been the site of many serious crashes, and UDOT officials say safety on canyon roads is high on their priority list.
"I-80 is one of the priority roads on our list because of the canyon topography and the tendency of people to lose control in the area," UDOT spokesman Adan Carrillo says.
There are some stretches of I-80 through Parley's Canyon that do have barriers, but Carrillo can't say for sure when more will be added.
This year, crews are working on a different part of the freeway that needs barriers, close to Wendover.
"We also experience a lot of crossovers coming out of that area for some reason," Carrillo says.
He says UDOT completes safety measures on the freeways when funding becomes available.
E-mail: pnelson@ksl.com
