15-year-old girl killed in rollover crash in West Valley; 4 others injured

WEST VALLEY — A teenage girl was killed, and four teens were injured in a rollover crash on Tuesday.

Nine Cyprus High School students had left school and were heading east on a dirt road section of 4100 South, just west of 8400 West, just after noon, West Valley police said. The SUV they were in rolled, and a 15-year-old girl was thrown from the vehicle and died at the scene.

Four other students in the car were taken to the hospital for injuries. Another four students in the car were not hurt in the crash, police said.

The driver, a 16-year-old boy, was among those hospitalized but later released, according to police. Police did not disclose the other injured teens' conditions as of late Tuesday.

All of the teens in the vehicle were said to be between the ages of 15 and 17, according to police.

The crash is under investigation, but West Valley police spokesperson Roxeanne Vainuku said speed may have been a factor.

"Although this is a dirt road, and it wouldn't necessarily have to be a tremendous amount of speed that could cause an accident like this, but it is an uneven surface, and we do believe that some form of speed may have been involved," she told reporters Tuesday.

Later on Tuesday, Magna city officials announced that the area of the dirt road at 4100 South, west of 8400 West, is now closed for the foreseeable future — though they didn't specify if it was related to the crash or not.

"Anyone who was previously using this portion of 4100 South to access the Little Valley Gateway neighborhood or Cyprus High School will now need to use Cordero Drive instead," a post on Magna city government's Facebook page reads.

Cyprus High School sent a statement to the school community informing it of a "tragic traffic accident" that involved students during lunchtime.

"Although we cannot yet confirm the names of any of the victims of the accident, information and questions about this incident understandably circulated around our student body and staff. Several members of the district's crisis response team were on site at the school today, providing support," the school said.

Crisis team members will continue to be available at the school for those who need it, the school said.

Magna city leaders also reacted to the news, extending thoughts and condolences to families impacted by Tuesday's crash.

"This tragedy has deeply impacted our entire community. We stand united in grief and in support of the students, families, and school staff during this incredibly difficult time," Magna Mayor Mick Sudbury said in a statement.

This story may be updated.

Correction: The crash was initially believed to have occurred in Magna but was later updated to include West Valley City.

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