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John Hollenhorst ReportingA semi apparently lost its brakes in Parley's Canyon today and plunged off Interstate 80. In the accident that ensued, the big truck's cab nearly disintegrated, with six people inside.
It's a nightmare scenario that's probably crossed the mind of almost anyone who's driven down Parley's Canyon: What do you do if the brakes fail? In this case the driver made a desperate move, resulting in a spectacular and astonishing crash that killed him and a seven-year old passenger.
On the shoulder of I-80, the big semi was a shambles. Working to save the four people left alive rescue workers were helped by an off-duty EMT and a registered nurse who happened to be passing by.
On a slope above the wreckage was an axle with four tires. In the wreckage was a bed from the sleeper cab. Authorities aren't sure why the driver had five passengers.
Sgt. Shawn Judd, Utah Highway Patrol: "I've spoken to the company, and they don't know either why they were all traveling together."
The accident happened a couple of miles down-canyon from a runaway truck escape lane. Investigators suspect the driver lost his brakes. In desperation he veered off and ran up an embankment, knowing his chances were fading fast.
Sgt. Shawn Judd: "Some way or another he would have crashed if he lost his brakes at that point in the canyon. Because that large a vehicle is not gonna make those curves."
You can follow the path with the cones. The truck exited about 75 miles an hour, ran up the embankment, across a paved road, narrowly missed a telephone pole. Then the truck ran out of steam up on a steep slope. And then it rolled all the way back down to i-80.
The accident jammed up westbound traffic all afternoon and evening, creating a huge traffic jam. The semi partially spilled its load: hundreds of cartons of vitamins and supplements headed from Florida to Nevada.
The five passengers were the driver's girlfriend and her three children, as well as another woman described as a mutual friend. It was apparently not illegal to have them aboard.
Sgt. Shawn Judd: "To my knowledge, no. There are some company policies that may have been broken. But as far as legally, to my knowledge, no."
The driver, 45-year old Gregorio Hernandez, died instantly. Also dead at the scene was seven-year old Rafael Cruz. The boy's mother, sister and brother are hospitalized, along with the 45-year old friend. All the victims are from Florida and Connecticut.
