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EAGLE MOUNTAIN — A Utah Department of Transportation snowplow driver was "unharmed" in a rollover crash in Utah County Friday; however, the agency is using the crash as a reminder for drivers to slow down and be mindful of plows on the road this winter.
Emergency crews were dispatched to a report of a rollover crash on state Route 73 near Mount Airey Drive shortly before 6:30 p.m., according to Utah Highway Patrol Cpl. Haley Scheer. UDOT officials posted on social media that a driver attempted to pass a snowplow and the maneuver caused the snowplow to "spin out of control and tip onto its side."
Earlier tonight a driver attempted to pass one of our snowplow operators on SR-73 in Eagle Mountain and caused the snowplow to spin out of control and tip onto its side.
— Utah DOT (@UtahDOT) January 6, 2024
Fortunately our team member is unharmed. pic.twitter.com/PBt0g9hCVO
Scheer said there were no major injuries reported and UDOT officials said the snowplow driver is OK. Three right lanes were closed through the evening in the area.
UDOT officials add that they believe the crash could have been "easily avoided" if the driver of the vehicle making the pass "remained patient and gave the snowplow space."
Friday's snow showers resulted in 128 crashes and slide-offs across the state by 7:30 p.m., according to Scheer. More snow is in the forecast for this weekend, which means that snowplows will be extra busy in the coming days.
"We're here to remind you that our plows are out for a reason: to make the roads safer for all of us," UDOT officials added. "Even when the roads appear 'clear' they're doing important preparation work. So please, do not pass a plow. Inside every snowplow is a person."
