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GRANTSVILLE — Police released the identity of a man killed after a collision between a Dodge Durango and a cement truck early Saturday.
Utah Highway Patrol troopers received a call about the incident about 4:16 a.m. reporting a collision involving a cement truck, Utah Highway Patrol Lt. Cody McCoy said.
The crash occurred near the new intersection on state Route 179 which connects Tooele County to I-80.
A Dodge Durango was traveling through the intersection and failed to make a stop before making a left-hand turn, McCoy said. The Dodge Durango was T-boned by a northbound cement truck.
The driver of the Dodge Durango — Oscar Villegas, 61, of West Jordan — died from injuries sustained in the crash. The driver of the cement truck was transported to the hospital as a precaution, McCoy said.
"We just stress with this new area and the new traffic pattern that people pay attention to signs, make sure they're stopping completely, making sure the intersection clear. This intersection has only been open for a week at this time. We're asking for people to pay attention. Be careful," McCoy said.
Following news of the crash, the Utah Department of Transportation posted a statement on Facebook regarding the intersection.
The post stated that the department would be taking additional steps "to further enhance the visibility of the stop sign at this location."
These actions include:
- Installing a stop sign with a blinking LED light border
- Painting "STOP" messages on the pavement ahead of the signs
- Placing reflective material on the stop sign post to increase visibility
- Adding signage to indicate a T intersection ahead
- Roadway safety is a combination of engineering and driver behavior.
