Friends of a Sandy man who died in a crash Friday after causing a string of crashes on I-15 said the accidents — and his death — were the result of a medical condition.

Amy Christiansen, a family friend of Sheldon Taylor, said Taylor's family asked her to clarify that the 54-year-old man suffered a stroke while driving, which caused him to lose control of his vehicle.

Christiansen said Taylor had just beaten cancer, but his family "didn't see this coming" despite his recent medical issues. Christiansen said Taylor has been her father's best friend since high school.

"He never would have caused anybody intentional harm," she said. "He's the kind of guy that, in a parking lot, if he dinged your car door, he would leave a note and say, 'I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do?'  "

The Utah Highway Patrol said it believes a medical condition may have been the cause of the accident, but was not ready to confirm that Monday evening.

"There are a few things we are waiting for in our investigation to narrow that down," UHP trooper Cameron Roden said.

Taylor caused three accidents on southbound I-15 Friday night, involving a total of six vehicles and slowing traffic for hours. Taylor's vehicle collided with others at 5500 South, 7800 South and 8500 South before it flipped and killed him. Only one of the other motorists involved in the collisions had to be transported to the hospital. That motorist was treated for minor injuries.

— Emiley Morgan