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Shelley Osterloh Reporting Anger on the highway caused a crash this morning that closed I-15 for a couple of hours during the morning commute.
It ended at I-15 and Bangerter, but it started many blocks away with two drivers jockeying back and forth, obscene hand gestures and intentionally cutting off the other driver. It ended with the semi truck driver hitting a couple of vehicles and jack-knifed across I-15.
Shawn Bloomquist, Eyewitness: "It was a case of road rage."
Eyewitnesses say a man in a PT Cruiser was angry because he felt a semi truck had cut him off. Angry gestures and words were exchanged. Witnesses say the driver of the PT cruiser kept slamming on his brakes in front of the semi until the the truck lost control, the empty trailer slipping sideways.
Shawn Bloomquist, Eyewitness: "This guy did everything he could to avoid this guy, but he just kept doing it and kept doing it. And finally that last time, he tried to hit the brakes so he wouldn't hit him and he just lost control."
The semi and its trailer traveled across three lanes of traffic, clipping a small ATV trailer pulled by a pick-up, slamming into the concrete barrier and traveling back across traffic. The trailer jackknifed, the semi slammed a minivan packed in the emergency lane.
Tito Ruano, Minivan Owner: "I was just running up the hill trying to stay away from him."
Other drivers say the driver of the PT Cruiser saw it happen in his rear view mirror.
Shawn Bloomquist, Eyewitness: "He left the accident. He slowed down and as soon as he saw how bad the wreck was, he hit the accelerator and split town."
But the Utah Highway Patrol pulled over the cruiser in Utah County. 45-year old Thomas Singleton of California is in custody, booked on charges of aggravated assault, reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident.
Other drivers and investigating officers say it's a reminder not to let your anger and frustration drive your car.
Glen Porter, Utah Highway Patrol: "Call us, break contact, because it's certainly not worth getting hurt over."
Shawn Bloomquist, Eyewitness: "Yeah, it could have been avoided if this guy would have just calmed his temper down and just kept driving."
Turns out the semi driver was trying to call the Utah Highway Patrol just before the crash occurred.
No one was seriously hurt, but the driver of the semi was hospitalized with minor injuries.
