Early Thursday, Interstate 15 in West Bountiful was the site of a multi-vehicle crash involving two law enforcement vehicles, causing the temporary closure of four southbound lanes during the morning commute, as reported by KSL NewsRadio and confirmed by the Utah Highway Patrol. The crash happened near 400 North at around 5:50 a.m., according to FOX 13, involving a civilian's vehicle, an unmarked Unified Police Department car, and a Utah Highway Patrol trooper's vehicle.
According to Cpl. Eddie Wright of the UHP, while two troopers were conducting a routine traffic stop with emergency lights on, they observed several cars failing to slow down or move over - a violation that prompted one trooper to move into the right lane to conduct another stop, the maneuver resulting in their vehicle being rear-ended by another, which then rolled, off hitting the unmarked police car, "As he moved into the right lane, he was struck from behind by another vehicle," Cpl. Wright explained to KUTV.
No serious injuries were reported, as FOX 13 states, despite the incident requiring the temporary closure of the interstate to manage the aftermath and investigate. UHP has taken the opportunity to remind motorists of the importance of moving over for stopped emergency vehicles, emphasizing first responder safety.
The crash resulted in significant delays on the southbound I-15, with traffic heavily slowed for at least four miles from the crash site, and backups stretching as far as the West Davis Corridor interchange in Farmington, said Cpl. Wright, "We kindly remind motorists to slow down and move over for emergency vehicles to ensure the safety of our first responders," in a statement obtained by KUTV, while drivers were advised to expect delays and use alternate routes such as Legacy Parkway, even though all but the right-most lane reopened by 6:30 a.m., the situation was cleared shortly after.
