Broadside collision kills Vernal motorist

VERNAL — A Vernal man was killed Wednesday night when his minivan was struck broadside by a pickup truck.

Nolan Toone, 55, was driving west on 1500 North about 7:20 p.m. when he failed to stop at the intersection with 3500 West in Maeser, according to Uintah County Sheriff's Cpl. Brian Fletcher.

Fletcher said Toone's van was hit by a 1-ton pickup truck driven by Gerardo Lambar, 25, of Vernal, and then hit a telephone pole.

Toone died at the scene.

Lambar and an unidentified passenger in his truck were taken to Ashley Regional Medical Center by ambulance. Fletcher said both individuals were wearing their seat belts.

Authorities do not believe drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash, Fletcher said. They are investigating whether other factors, like a medical episode, may have led Toone to run the stop sign.

— Geoff Liesik