Duchesne County man killed in Vernal crash

VERNAL — A Duchesne County man was killed Tuesday morning in a head-on collision with a tractor-trailer truck on U.S. Highway 40.

Witnesses told the Utah Highway Patrol that Dennis W. Crowser, 46, was driving east at a high rate of speed. He had passed several cars in the icy, snow-covered passing lane just east of Vernal when he lost control of his pickup truck.

Troopers said Crowser's truck collided with an oncoming semitrailer. The impact demolished the cab of the pickup truck and killed Crowser instantly.

The driver of the semitrailer suffered minor injuries.

With more winter weather on the way for Utah, troopers are urging motorists to pay attention to road conditions, drive defensively, and allow for extra time to reach their destination.

"It's bad this year because (the Utah Department of Transportation) doesn't have the budget to clear the roads like they normally would," UHP Lt. Jeff Chugg said. "People have got to slow down or we're going to have a bunch of people killed."

— Geoff Liesik