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SALT LAKE CITY — A cargo van crashed into the side of a box truck Thursday in Salt Lake City after police say it apparently came off the freeway and for an unknown reason never braked.
Investigators say the van was headed south on I-15 and got off the freeway at 400 South about 9 a.m. But at the bottom of the freeway ramp, police believe the van was still going freeway speeds when it hit a one-foot tall median dividing east and west traffic, went airborne, and crashed into the side of a box truck that was stopped at the light waiting to make a left turn, said Salt Lake City police detective Greg Wilking.
Originally, it was reported that the van went under the truck. But Wilking said it appeared the front of the van wedged into the truck's side. The force of the collision moved the entire truck sideways about seven yards, he said.
The driver of the van was trapped in his vehicle due to the damage and had to be extricated by the Salt Lake City Fire Department's heavy rescue unit. He was taken to a local hospital in serious condition, Wilking said.
There were five people in the van which was being used by a moving company. One person suffered minor injuries, Wilking said.
The area around 400 South between 500 West and 900 West was closed as emergency crews worked to free the van driver. The 400 South exit off I-15 was also closed and traffic diverted to 600 South or 600 North.
