Idaho truck driver facing charges in Utah canyon blast

PROVO — The driver of a truck that exploded after crashing in Spanish Fork Canyon faces three misdemeanor charges in connection with the accident, as well as potential restitution reaching nearly $600,000.

Travis Stewart, 30, of Rexburg, Idaho, was charged Tuesday in 4th District Court with two class A misdemeanors of causing a catastrophe and reckless endangerment and one class B misdemeanor of reckless driving.

"It has as much to do with the cargo as how he was driving," said Utah County Attorney Kay Bryson. "The reckless driving resulted in the explosion, but anyone carrying that cargo ought to be careful about the way they drive."

The semitrailer truck driven by Stewart carried explosives normally used in seismic exploration. On a particularly sharp turn on U.S. 6, the truck jackknifed and skidded across the pavement. A fire then ignited on the truck.

When the blaze reached the cargo, the truck exploded, carving a hole in the canyon nearly 30 feet deep and 80 feet wide. The road and nearby railroad tracks were destroyed in the blast.

Officials at the scene said speed was a factor in the crash.

Stewart is in Idaho and will be served with a summons to appear in a Provo courtroom to respond to the charges. A court date has not been determined.

Stewart did not immediately return calls Tuesday night seeking comment.

The maximum penalty for class A misdemeanor is one year in jail; the maximum for a class B misdemeanor is six months in jail.

The charges took more than two months to file because the County Attorney's Office wanted to make the restitution numbers as accurate as possible.

The $600,000 in restitution includes the cost of repairing the road, railroad tracks and utilities in the area. However, that figure doesn't include damage to the mountains or the cost of fighting fires that were sparked as a result of the crash.

That figure is still being determined by the U.S. Forest Service, Bryson said.

The county attorney's office also wants to hear from any of the drivers of vehicles affected by the explosion. Any costs incurred by the drivers could be added on to the restitution amount.

Individuals who were affected can call 801-851-8026.

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