A tragic incident occurred on State Route 12 near mile marker 52 when a Green Jeep Cherokee SUV went off the road, leading to a fatal crash. The Utah Department of Public Safety reported that on Tuesday, at approximately 6:45 pm, the vehicle, heading westbound, underwent a series of dangerous maneuvers before it ended up rolling several times off the road.
The 46-year-old male driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, was ejected during the crash. Despite efforts to correct the SUV's path, the driver was unable to regain control. The DPS statement detailed how the Jeep initially ran off the road to the right, corrected to the left, crossing the center line, then veered back right and finally hard left before running off the road and rolling. According to the Utah Department of Public Safety, the driver succumbed to fatal injuries resulting from the accident.
Safety officials have urged drivers to exercise caution on SR-12, a route that winds through some of Utah's most scenic areas but also presents potential hazards. The incident serves as a stark reminder to always wear a seatbelt, irrespective of the journey duration or familiarity with the road. It is not yet clear whether seatbelt usage could have modified the tragic outcome, but the investigation into the crash is ongoing.
Lamentably, this event once more underlines the unpredictability of road travel and the split-second decisions that can bear irreversible consequences. Emergency responders promptly arrived at the scene to administer aid, but were unable to successfully revive the driver. The highway was also temporarily closed to allow a thorough investigation and to enable emergency personnel to safely work at the site of the crash. The driver's name has not been released, pending notification of next of kin.
