Wow! Lately highway 189 has become the new highway 6. Not a good trend.

I was friends with scott. He was such a good person. It was always a joy to be around him. He had so many hopes and dreams that he wanted to accomplish. He was a great friend and a great person. I know he is continuing on beyond this life.

The family was fortunate to be in a car big enough to protect them from worse injury. The other car was completely obliterated.

I have had two friends killed there. One when I was in 5th grade when an Oversized Semi drove over half there car killing the dad and son and leaving the mom untouched. This is when Oversized vehicles were no longer allowed. Then the other was about 7 years ago when a friend was coming back from park city and slid on ice at the turn just coming onto the dam on the south side right into a semi.

I only fear now with the 4 lanes that speeds will go up and deaths will also.

It is not the hi-ways it is the drivers. Cars and pick ups should be built with smaller engines..No wonder gas is high,the gas guzzlers we have on the roads..We are playing right into the gas company hands.Plus killing people with the careless driving.
Every state should lower the speed limit..Cars are as dangerous as you nake them and every day I see some idiot if I am driving the limit they have to pass me.Sure I am 81 years old, but I still drive..The last thing I ever want to have to give up is my computer or car Slow down and live.I hope to live to be 109 and all of you outlive me.

How many deaths need to occur before UDOT reduces the speed limit in Provo Canyon? Everyone drives the road like a limited access freeway when numerous side access roads make it more like a neighborhood.

I drive Provo Canyon regularly and I'm always concerned about the number of distracted drivers talking on cell phones while speeding.

I don't know that this was the case here... but seems likely as you've got to be pretty distracted to cross into incoming traffic.

For the most part, Utah drivers are dangerous!

Maybe the police should start pulling over speeders in Utah? I've never seen worse drivers in my life than in Utah. The Police could fund the State government with the amount of tickets they should be writing.

Many years ago, when provo canyon was a 2 lane slow winding road and there was a proposal to widen the road to increase traffic flow and reduce travel time, Robert Redford loudly voiced his opposition. Although his arguments were mostly environmental, it appears his opposition may have been prophetic. Incidentally, Mr. Redford's opposition was greatly criticized at the time...

Speed limits don't need to be lowered, they need to be obeyed.

Move over Granny... I'm in a hurry.

I was also friends with Scott. What a terrible loss. He'll be missed by all his English buddies!

Scott was a dear friend of mine. He was one of the kindest people I know and he was full of life and hope. He will be greatly missed by all who know him.

I'm sorry to hear about this. I didn't really know Scott very well, but I work around people that did, and I feel sorry for all those who loved him. I'm sure this is a great loss. I have heard that he was an amazing person. One bright thought amidst all the darkness is that we know that he lived a good life, and that we can see him again in the spirit world. Thank goodness for the plan of salvation. Please be comforted in this hard time.

Reducing the speed limit wouldn't help as much as it should, because:

(1) Enforcement is so lax in this state.

(2) Utah has a culture of speeding and distracted driving.

We see cops ignoring speeders, red light runners and stop sign rollers all the time. They almost never seem to care.

And try actually driving 25 mph in a 25 mph zone. It will only be minutes before some livid low life is having a conniption behind you.

The car pool lane is worse. Set your cruise control to 5 mph over, and people cross the solid white line, blow past you and either shoot you a dirty look or flip you off... for not speeding fast enough to suit them!

Is everyone so insecure that they can't sit in a car by themselves without needing to feel important and talk to someone on a mobile phone?

It's a joke how many Utahans blame our reputation for aggressive driving on out of state students. Either there are a lot of baby boomers going to school here, or the blamers are in denial.

It's too bad Utah's driving culture seems to have claimed another good life.

Speedy -- if you in a hurry, leave earlier! Speed limits are posted for our safety and MUST be obeyed. If you get a ticket for going faster than the posted limit ---Tough!!!

Actually the road is a lot less dangerous than it used to be, before it began to be improved in the 1980's. We old-timers remember how harrowing the drive was on the old, twisty highway. If people would just obey the speed limits which are already posted they would be OK.

I was friends with Scott. Not many people knew me in the English MA program but he went out of his way to get to know me. He will be missed. What else can be said about such a loss?

I first want to say I am sorry for the man who lost his life, to his family, and to those hurt in the other vehicle.

Secondly, I want to say how whole heartedly I agree with some of the comments posted. Why is it so few people obey the speed limit? Driving I-15 through Salt Lake county at a speed less than 70 feels quite dangerous. The cars approach and pass at such a high speed. I keep hoping as the price of gas goes up that people will slow down, but I seem to be waiting in vain.

May be they should have the South Jordon Police patrol the Provo canyon. There would be alot less people go over the speed limit!!!!!

I too knew Scott. he'd been a good friend to me. He'lll be missed. I already do.

Don't speed if you can't control.

Many will say you can't put stoplights in the middle of a highway, but 189 is still a highway when you get to Provo and all the way through Provo to where it hits I-15 and there are dozens of lights.

It would be very wise to put lights at high traffic areas like Vivian Park, the Sundance turn-off, Bridal Veils and Squaw Peak. They could be set to stay green on the main road unless a car triggered it wanting to turn. This would not cost a huge amount of money and would save lives. Starting emailing UDOT today.

all the complaining about Utah drivers maybe the problem is all the out of state drivers in Utah

Such terrible news. Scott was a fellow expat student over here in Scotland and a wonderful human being. This breaks my heart. Condolences to his family and friends on such a tragic loss.

I once worked a summer in Yellowstone Park and learned that park rangers gave out more traffic violation citations to cars with Utah license plates than any other state. Draw your own conclusions. I am sorry for the loss of this young man.

Honestly, as an out of state driver, I never felt more afraid for my life while driving until I moved to Utah.

The only thing I don't like about visiting home is fearing for my life on the road. I have lived coast to coast and must say, Utah drivers are the worst.

This is horrible and painful news.

As for all the smug commenters commenting about Utah drivers: it's fun to be the shining light of driving goodness in a strangely pious place like Utah, isn't it? However, the anecdotal evidence and misplaced emotions don't quite add up. Driving in Utah is pretty much the same as driving anywhere else. People drive, people die. Everywhere. All the time. At about the same rate as in Utah.

I can't believe Scott is gone. What horrific and tragic news. All of my love and sympathy to the family. I didn't know Scott for very long, but he made such a strong and wonderful impression on me. He was one of the most decent human beings I've ever met -- intelligent -- sincere -- down-to-earth -- creative -- friendly. Have all the driving opinions you want, but to slander a person you do not know -- to speculate and judge without knowing all of the details of the situation -- shame on you. When tragedy comes into our lives -- the last thing we want to read about is smug, typical, and ignorant steam blowing. Respect the dead. Respect the family and friends of Scott.

A few lines from Billy Collins for Scott Ross:

From "The Trouble with Poetry"

and there is nothing left to do
but quietly close our notebooks
and sit with our hands folded on our desks.

Poetry fills me with joy
and I rise like a feather in the wind.
Poetry fills me with sorrow
and I sink like a chain flung from a bridge.

But mostly poetry fills me
with the urge to write poetry,
to sit in the dark and wait for a little flame
to appear at the tip of my pencil.

Much love and sympathy to Scott's family and friends.

I've worked as an EMT now for over 6 years here in Utah and we see accidents like this all the time and however tragic they are they are not uncommon and generally not caused by excessive speed as many of you here belive and have posted your concerns about. I have been on over 100 traffic accident calls and 90% or more are caused by two leading factors DISTRACTION and DROWSY DRIVING not SPEEDING or ALCOHOL. In my career I've only seen one alcohol related accident and maybe 2-3 accidents caused by excessive speed(excluding weather related speeding in excess of conditions not limits)and even in those speeding related accidents it was a distration that ultimately caused the accident. So ya not that I condone speeding, however my observation has been most speeders are actually better skilled drivers and more focused on the road than slow drivers who tend to be significantly more distracted talking on cell phones or paying more attention to things off the road then on it. So if you want to cut accidents start with Hang-up-and-Drive, No Drowsy Driving, and Know Directions to Where Your Going Before You Hit the Road then worry about speeders!

respect and condolences go out from me to Scotts family and friends. I will miss his chat and friendship. I had high expectations of him, and am sure of a reunion at some time.

A man's life was lost and at least two families have been disturbed forever. Is this really the forum for cold rants about speed and Utah drivers? Surely there are blogs galore and forums for such.

There aren't enough facts in the article to support many of the opionions expressed here. The headline states the surest fact: A man died in Provo Canyon. May the memory of his life remain bright to his family and friends. Condolences.

Scott was a wonderful person and a true friend to those who knew him. His influence will be missed. He had high hopes and worked hard at turning his dreams into reality. Such a very very great loss. We never will read the novel he was writing and that is a sad thing. To all those who may critisize Scott...He was a fine and honourable human being,caring and dependable and the reason he is dead is because his time had come. I am so very grateful that the people in the other car were alright,minor injuries and broken limb aside and I hope they get well soon. To his family...We his friends in the UK feel for you and would have you know that we mourn with you,God bless you and Scott.

I recently saw Scott briefly in passing and didn't say hello. It had been years since I had seen him last and didn't know what to say. How I wish I would have said hello and caught up on his life. It sure sounds from what others have said that he really made an impact on the people he came into contact with. I can only hope the same be said of me when I pass. Your dad has waited a long time to hold you again - I'm sure you've made him proud.

I met Scott over in the UK, and he was a very nice guy indeed.

God bless, dude. Rest in peace.

I will never forget your laugh or our hours spent playing Golden Eye together. Thinking about you meeting your father for the first time makes me smile. That is what this life is all about. We'll see you again.

P.S. Did you remember to take your book bag?

Like many people, I will say it's quite unfair to judge Scott in this fashion. As an American living and working in Glasgow, it was a privledge for my daughter and I to have Scott as our Home Teacher for a brief time. We were looking forward to his return to Glasgow for his post-graduate education. I'm not the most active member of the LDS Church, and Scott always made me feel welcomed. We will miss his visits and his smile. He was a very good person and a pleasure to talk to about a variety of sugjects. We offer our condolences to Scott's family and loved ones. We also wish that those hurt in this tragic accident will have a speedy recovery-Scott would have never wanted to hurt a soul. One of the nicest people I've ever met. It hit Sara hard when she realised that he won't be finishing his novel now, well, at least not here on earth. Rest in peace Scott, and thank-you for having such a positive influence on my life in such a short period of time.

My family is in Utah and the drivers are terrible. I worry every time we go visit from Seattle. Love very much the family that lost Scott, what a tragedy. Time to fix this, Utah.

Scott was my friend. I will miss him. He was a great guy. Even though I'm sad, I'm glad that he is with his dad now--what a joyful reunion they must be having.
On another note, I find it ironic that people are always bashing Utah drivers, but Scott wasn't a Utahan. He was from Washington state. I think people should stop blaming Utah drivers for everything and start taking some responsibility.

Scott is a member of my extended family. I have heard such wonderful things about you, Scott... and how much you ressemble my nephew in mannerisms and looks. Your sister says this over and over again. About an year ago, one of my nephews said "I want to do English and be a writer like uncle Scott". You are loved and always remembered, Scott. Rest in peace!

our love and prayers for a speedy recovery to the rest of you injurred in the SUV.

scott was our friend. we miss him. he was a gentle, interesting and funny person.

our love and prayers to his family at this time.

It is so hard to hear of the loss of Scott. My heart aches with sorrow. He was one of my dearest friends and I will always miss him. The previous remarks about him resonate clearly as to who he was and what his dreams were. These dreams will have to wait for another time, as will our reunion with him. His death stands as a reminder to never take anything in this life for granted. Not your family, your faith, or the decisions you've made in your life. Glory in everything the Lord has blessed our lives with and the opportunity we have to share this time with those around us. Scott, I miss you and I love you. I know I will see you again, I just wish it didn't have to be this way. My love and condolences to your family, and joy over the reunion with your father. Your family is in my prayers and your friendship will always be in my heart.

You never know the effect you may have on someone or, that they may have on you, when you meet for the first time.

I know Scott from the Singles Ward and from BCC. To me, he seemed like the quiet, shy, literary guy with a funny sence of humor. Once I got to know him better, he was quick to educate me on the proper use of my vocabulary words!

I imagine Heaven is that much better with him watching over us. I feel those that knew Scott, have accurately dipicted all of his awesomeness here. He was truely a genuine, caring person and I am better for knowing him.