Baby killed, mother injured in rollover crash in Emery County

GREEN RIVER, Emery County — A 33-year-old Colorado woman was critically hurt and her nearly 2-year-old baby daughter was killed early Saturday in a van rollover on I-70.

The child, Samantha Bermudez, was being held in the arms of her mother, Rubicelia Santacruz-Alvarado, and neither were wearing seat belts, according to the Utah Highway Patrol. About 1:30 p.m., they were ejected from the van, which had rolled into the median. Officers believe the right rear tire's tread shredded, causing the fatal accident.

Californian Alberto Santacruz, 37, was driving at the time. He and 6-year-old Larry Bermudez were buckled into seat belts and survived the crash. They were taken to Green River Medical Clinic with minor injuries.

When troopers arrived on scene, 23-month-old Samantha had already died. Her mother was taken to St. Mary's hospital in Colorado, where she was treated for back and neck injuries.

The van was heading from Colorado to California, according to police.

— Rebecca Palmer