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TOOELE COUNTY — A crash on I-80 between Tooele and Wendover left three dead and one in critical condition on Friday.
UHP stated they received several calls of an erratic pickup truck driver around 6:30 p.m.
Witnesses told police the driver of a pickup truck stopped in the median at one point, and another driver told him he needed to stop driving.
The pickup truck driver turned around and went the wrong way in the westbound lane, eventually crashing head-on with a Suburban at 80 mph.
The Suburban involved in the incident had the engine knocked out of it. Alcohol or drugs may have been involved, police said.
Police confirmed an adult female, a teenager, and an infant, all family members died in a crash. The fourth passenger in the vehicle, the father, is in critical condition. Utah Highway Patrol said it appeared the teenager and infant were not wearing seatbelts.
The driver of the pickup truck was taken to the hospital and is expected to live.
UDOT has closed westbound I-80 at mile post 29. Only the right shoulder was open, but as of 11:20 p.m., one lane had opened. At one point, traffic was backed up for five miles. Troopers are attempting to open a lane, but motorists headed westbound have been stranded on the road.
Officers on scene said it was one of the worst scenes they've been called out on.
More details will be posted as they become available.
