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MONA — A woman was killed Wednesday morning after a rollover accident north of Mona.
A Ford Explorer traveling southbound on I-15 near mile post 239 north of Mona rolled several times when the tread separated from the right rear tire, the Utah Highway Patrol said.
The diver lost control of the Explorer, and the vehicle "went into the median and rolled several times before coming to a rest on its top," according the the UHP.
The occupants of the SUV included a male driver, an adult female and two female minors, aged 16 and 11.
The driver was trapped in the vehicle, and the woman — identified as 60-year-old Maria Sandoval — had an arm and a leg trapped under the vehicle.
All occupants were initially transported to Central Valley Medical Center. The male driver was then flown to Utah Valley Regional Medical center, the 11-year-old was flown to Primary Children's Hospital for precautionary reasons and the 16-year-old was released to her step- mother, UHP said.
The conditions of the man and two minors was not immediately known. Sandoval died in the hospital from her injuries.
UHP said they believe that all occupants were wearing their seat belts.
Five Varsity Scouts and a leader helped free Sandoval from under the SUV shortly after the accident, according to Boy Scouts of America officials.
The Scouts — ages 15 to 17 — were traveling from Cedar Hills to Beaver High Adventure Base when they saw an overturned SUV without any emergency assistance, according to BSA.
R.L. Peay, Troop 839 leader — who happens to be the first-aid certification director for the Utah National Parks Council — approached the overturned vehicle. Several other citizens were at the scene removing people from the SUV, but Sandoval remained pinned.
The BSA initially reported that Sandoval was pregnant, but the Utah Highway patrol confirmed that was not the case.
Emergency personnel arrived, excusing anyone without first aid training. Peay offered his assistance, as well as that of the five Scouts, in lifting the vehicle, according to BSA.
"I told him I had five Varsity Scouts sitting in my van less than 100 feet from site of the crash who wanted to help," Peay told the BSA. "They told me to bring the boys over."
Varsity Scouts Adam Johnson, Ben Hale, Juston Peay, Jake Hirschi and Max Clements assisted emergency personnel, using the training they learned during Scouting activities, BSA said.
The teens helped prop up the SUV long enough for a rescuer to get Sandoval out.
"It brought tears to my eyes to see the faces of these 15-17-year-old boys as we lifted the SUV high enough off the ground and held it long enough, so the rescuer could pull her to safety. This is what Scouting is all about,” Peay said.
BSA said they were offering prayers for the woman.
Contributing: Andrew Adams
