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UTAH COUNTY -- Heavy snow and low temperatures created major problems on the roads Thursday night, particularly in Utah County.
Troopers shut down northbound Interstate 15 from Spanish Fork Main Street to University Avenue in Provo because of crashes and ice, leaving drivers stranded. As of 10:20 p.m., traffic was being diverted to University Avenue.
The Utah Highway Patrol has responded to more than a dozen accidents on both sides of the freeway in that area.
Trooper hit
UHP has also confirmed that a trooper was hit on the side of the road on eastbound I-215 near 4500 South around 8:15 p.m. The trooper had pulled over to assist with a rollover crash and was sitting in his patrol vehicle when the driver of another car, who was traveling at high speeds, lost control, crossed over multiple lanes and spun off to the side - hitting the back of the trooper's car.
Medical personnel examined the trooper at the scene. He complained of back pain, but was otherwise uninjured.
Troopers say the car bounced of the patrol vehicle and struck a tow truck that was loading a pickup onto its bed. The impact caused the truck to roll back and the tow truck driver had to jump out of the way to avoid being hit.
The driver of the car will likely be cited.
Troopers say the cold roads are made even more dangerous and slick by falling snow and rain. The weather is expected to impact roads through Friday's commute.
Stay tuned to KSL.com, KSL Newsradio 102.7FM/1160AM and KSL TV for the latest updates.
