A West Jordan man was killed early Monday when his car rolled on Interstate 80 in eastern Nevada, according to state authorities. Troopers with the Nevada Highway Patrol arrived just after 5 a.m. to find a gold Oldsmobile Alero that had left its lane and overturned about 23 miles west of West Wendover. The driver was thrown from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene, and investigators said he was not wearing a seat belt.
What Troopers Say Happened
According to a Nevada Highway Patrol press release quoted by KSL, the Oldsmobile was headed east in the left travel lane when it "failed to maintain its travel lane" and drifted into the dirt center median. The car struck a metal paddle marker with its left side, then re-entered the median and began to rotate, which caused it to roll.
Troopers identified the driver as Matthew Allen Szukala, 52, of West Jordan. They said the investigation into the crash is ongoing.
Seat Belts And Crash Outcomes
National data shows that seat belts often make the difference between surviving a crash and not. Properly worn lap-and-shoulder belts cut the risk of fatal injury for front-seat occupants by about 45%, according to the IIHS. That context is especially relevant here because troopers reported that Szukala was unrestrained at the time of the rollover.
Investigation And How To Help
Nevada Highway Patrol officials said the crash remains under investigation and did not immediately release additional details. Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information is asked to contact the Nevada Highway Patrol's Elko office at (775) 753-1111 or email [email protected], according to 2 News.
Officials have not yet released a formal cause of the crash, and troopers say their investigation is continuing. This story will be updated if state investigators release additional information.
