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SALT LAKE CITY -- The Utah Highway Patrol is looking for a driver who may have contributed to a rollover crash on Interstate 215 Saturday. The crash injured a family of five, including two children and a baby.
One of those children, a 3-year-old girl, was ejected from the car. She was taken to Primary Children's Medical Center in critical condition with a serious head injury, but has been stabilized.
Troopers say the family was driving in a black Ford Fusion on southbound I-215 at 600 North just after 12:30 p.m. when the driver of a gray Chevy Cobalt suddenly cut them off and sped away.
"From what witnesses say, it was a dramatic lane change and the only choice the driver of the black vehicle had was to maneuver right," said Lt. Robert Anderson with the Utah Highway Patrol.
The driver of the Ford lost control on the wet road and the vehicle went off the freeway, crashing into a utility pole before rolling onto its top. All five family members inside were injured.
"A 3-year-old was ejected from the back and ended up about 10 feet from the vehicle on the ground," Anderson said.
The mother and father were both taken to Intermountain Medical Center with minor injuries. A 5-month-old baby also suffered minor injuries and was taken to University Hospital.
A 2-year-old boy and the 3-year-old girl were both taken to Primary Children's Hospital. The girl was in critical condition, while the boy was listed in poor condition.
Troopers say it appears all three children were properly restrained in their safety seats. They say the driver who caused the crash never slowed to help the family.
"We don't know if they saw it happen. I'd be hard pressed to believe they didn't, but for some reason they decided not to stop," Anderson said.
Witnesses initially described the car as a gray Chevy Cavalier, but after being shown photos of different car models it was determined the vehicle was actually a Chevy Cobalt. It appeared the driver was alone in the car.
Troopers say this crash serves as a reminder to all drivers to pay attention. "That sets up a lot of crashes, so you need to check your mirrors, check your blind spots, signal, then go over carefully," Anderson said.
If you witnessed the crash or have any information on the driver of the car who caused it, please call the Utah Highway Patrol at 801-887-3800.
E-mail: sdallof@ksl.com
