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GREEN RIVER, Emery County — Two people were killed and seven others were critically hurt Wednesday afternoon in a rollover on I-70 at an interchange near Green River, police said.
An eastbound Chevrolet Suburban with nine people inside over-corrected and rolled down an embankment just east of the city around 4:30 p.m., said Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Todd Royce.
A woman and a child, whose age and gender were unknown, were killed in the crash. Seven others were hospitalized in critical condition. In all, seven people were ejected in the wreck.
At least two medical helicopters were called to the scene of the crash "to transport as many as they could," Royce said. One person was flown St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction, while another was airlifted to Castleview Hospital in Price. Five others were taken by ambulance to St. Mary's Hospital.
Royce called the crash a "tragic accident" involving multiple children inside the vehicle.
Impairment and weather did not appear to contribute to the crash, Royce said. The exact cause of the wreck remained under investigation Wednesday night. It wasn't immediately clear whether speed was a factor.
The Suburban has California license plates, according to Royce. He didn't know how many of the victims were wearing seat belts, but said there were more occupants than seat belts inside the vehicle.
"Evidence shows that there was some seat belt use . … We're looking to find out who was and who was not seat belted in," Royce said.
The sergeant stressed the importance of wearing a seat belt at all times on the road.
"If you're involved in a crash like this one, hopefully you are buckled up and you can spend the holidays with your family," he said.
Terrible crash. 9 occupants 7 ejected 2 died & 6 critical. Please wear your seat belts We need everyone to enjoy Christmas with loved ones
— UHP Colonel (@UHP_Colonel) December 24, 2015Contributing: Brianna Bodily
