5 lives claimed by multiple incidents on Utah roadways

A house fire and a rear-end collision were just two of the incidents that claimed the lives of at least five people around the state this week.

• In West Valley City, a crash on I-215 killed two people and shut down traffic for several hours Wednesday.

Around 12:30 p.m., a Honda Civic began to slow down and was rear-ended by a Chevy Impala as the vehicles traveled near 2300 South, said Utah Highway Patrol trooper Cameron Roden.

Jasmin Gomez-Deaquino, 19, and Edgar Nava Deaquino, 14, both of Salt Lake City, were riding in the back of the Honda and were killed. They were not wearing seat belts, Roden said.

The driver of the Honda was taken to Intermountain Medical Center in serious condition, and a front-seat passenger was flown to another hospital in critical condition, police said. The driver of the Impala suffered only minor injuries.

Police were still looking into what caused the crash. Roden said the Impala did not appear to be traveling faster than the speed limit, but the driver did not slow down before impact.

The crash caused I-215 northbound to close, stopping the flow of traffic between 4700 South and state Route 201. Yet, after the accident site was cleared, only two lanes were opened.

High temperatures and heat radiating from stalled automobiles made asphalt fillings in potholes "gum-like," and as cars began to pull away, the potholes were re-exposed, said Adan Carrillo, public information officer for the Utah Department of Transportation.

UDOT maintained the flow of traffic at two lanes following the accident so crews could refill the holes and prevent damage to the roadway.

• In Cottonwood Heights, a two-alarm house fire killed one person Wednesday afternoon.

Flames already had swept through the main floor of the rambler at 2938 E. Bridgewater Drive (7550 South) when firefighters arrived around 3:30 p.m., said Unified Fire Authority Capt. Jay Fearnley.

A body was found in the kitchen of the home near the back door, Fearnley said. Flames had so badly burned the body that officials were not able to identify the victim, he said.

The fire was intentionally set in the kitchen, and investigators found accelerants in the house, Fearnley said.

The home was a total loss, with damages exceeding $250,000, he said.