3 friends killed in head-on crash; teen driver injured

Three friends were killed Saturday afternoon in a head-on collision in Tooele County, after a teenage driver apparently fell asleep at the wheel and drifted into their lane, troopers said.

The accident happened just before 4 p.m. on state Route 138, close to the Historic Benson Grist Mill near Stansbury.

Investigators said it appeared that an 18-year-old driver fell asleep at the wheel, crossed into oncoming traffic and hit another vehicle head-on.

"There's no sign of impairment. Fatigued driving would be the most reasonable explanation at this time," said Utah Highway Patrol trooper Clint Fawson.

Three friends in the vehicle that was hit — 19-year-old Bailey Corless of Grantsville, 23-year-old Kendra Naisbitt of Bluffdale and 19-year-old Taft Ahlstrom of Grantsville — were killed at the scene. Each had to be extricated from the badly damaged vehicle, Fawson said.

Each victim was either wearing a seat belt improperly or not wearing one at all, Fawson said.

The 18-year-old driver of the vehicle that caused the accident was flown by medical helicopter to University Hospital in Salt Lake City, where he was listed in fair condition Saturday evening, Fawson said.

Possible charges against the driver will be reviewed by the Tooele County Attorney's Office.

E-MAIL: preavy@desnews.com