Deseret News | Man killed, 3 others are injured in I-15 crashes

Reader comments
Man killed, 3 others are injured in I-15 crashes

Who is surprised?? | 1:45 p.m. June 6, 2009

UDOT has set up a maze in that area and ever since the first day there have been multiple accidents-- it's confusing and add to that the sad fact that people still drive 75 thru that area-----
Amazing no was killed sooner

UDOT | 2:06 p.m. June 6, 2009

should change it to IDIOT, I've yet to drive in the State of Utah where you felt safe, it's like driving through a war zone.

War Zone?? | 2:23 p.m. June 6, 2009

How many states have you driven in??
I'll grant you we have our problem drivers but I can also testify that having driven in every state in the USA except North Dakota and Maine, ALL STATES have problem drivers as well, as well as occasional construction zones.
The best and easiest states to drive in?? In my opinion Alabama and Ohio are 1 and 2.
Dismantle the maze in NSL and slow the drivers down before they got to the confusion.
Two edged sword-- UDOT and SPEED

Comments continue below

yes | 2:27 p.m. June 6, 2009

people are dead ..now look at the variables involved. that area should of had a maze of cops on patrol sitting there as it is an area of speeders. always has been an area of quick decisions to be made now someone innocent is dead.

Where Is The Common Sense? | 3:13 p.m. June 6, 2009

Where is the common sense in the design of these roads? Not only are the construction zones enormously confusing (just try staying in your lane heading North near Farmington, where there are half-a-dozen lines criss-crossing in front of you and one lane merging into the others, let alone living through the construction zone on I-15 in North Salt Lake.

But I absolutely cannot understand the design of most of the on/off ramps--especially the newer ones. Who thought up the brilliant plan of bringing one or two lanes of traffic up onto the freeway with the on-ramp, only to use those same lanes to divert exiting traffic off? In other words, you get a congested section of traffic where half the cars are trying to merge on while the other half are trying to merge off, and everyone driving at break-neck speed! Put the off-ramp first, not second!

I am surprised more people haven't died on our freeways. The reason flying is safer is because we don't have knuckle heads designing 'roads' for the planes to fly on!

MVH | 3:23 p.m. June 6, 2009

People, when you see an accident scene, you must resist the temptation to slow down and gawk. Just keep driving. Got it? Just keep driving. You don't need to gawk and rubber-neck.

Re: Yes | 4:27 p.m. June 6, 2009

There have been cops patrolling that area. I have seen a number of people pulled over for speeding when I drive through that maze.

Drivers need to pay attention to the road ahead of them. If they do that and equate orange with 55 MPH, accidents like this won't happen as much.

Re: WAR ZONE @ 2:23 | 4:41 p.m. June 6, 2009

I'm from Ohio and I agree with the fact that Ohio for the most part has courteous drivers. (a FEW crazies) but not many... Here in Utah it is like a war zone on the freeway!

Holy crap Batman | 5:38 p.m. June 6, 2009

How was the driver of the Camry not killed. That is one lucky guy. Condolances to the Carver family. It is sad when a loved one is taken by an idiot that should have been paying attention.

Kathy Hansen | 6:18 p.m. June 6, 2009

My nephew was the driver of the Camry that the tow truck crushed. He will be ok. But thanks so much to the man who helped him at the scene and called his parents from his cell phone. He was truly a great help and the whole family thanks you.

Just crazy drivers | 6:55 p.m. June 6, 2009

That area doesn't seem all like a maze to me, and the 55 mph speed limit is there for a reason. That way people can react to the change in lanes. Utahns are notorious for being bad drivers. It always surprises me when I drive through the Springville area construction zone. Just about everybody is going 75 mph. I sincerely hope that they're going to put up cameras soon. Just think how much money the highway patrol will make at double the fines. And we don't even have to raise taxes for them.

Victor | 7:58 p.m. June 6, 2009

Kathy Hansen,

I am glad your nephew will recover. The photo of the camry under the truck is very impressive, thank God he is going to be ok.

God bless the people that were injured in this accident and their families, especially of the gentleman that passed.

Tammy Z | 8:39 p.m. June 6, 2009

My family and I were only a four cars back when this happened. My husband saw the tow truck break through the barriers and roll up onto the Camry. He also saw the other vehicle rolling. I jumped out to see what could be done after speaking 911. Another gentleman and I helped the Camry driver out of his car and got him away from the crash site. I had compression on the left side of his head while the other had him on the right. My husband held his arm which was cut quite badly until the medics arrived. I'm glad to hear he is going to be ok. I am so sorry to hear about the other driver. There was a family with little ones and grandparents in the very next two cars who were quite shaken by this.

Twill | 10:21 p.m. June 6, 2009

We were getting ready to head to the airshow and heard a few helicopters. The next thing we know they are landing behind the house across the street on the freeway. It was the motorcycle crash.

Anonymous | 11:11 p.m. June 6, 2009

Tammy Z, thank you so much for helping my brother, the driver of the Camry. I am glad there was someone like you on the road today.

Neighbor | 12:30 a.m. June 7, 2009

Mike is my neighbor. He was a really kind wonderful guy. He taught the church 4 and 5 year old class and was really cute teacher. He always took family pictures at the church Christmas party. My whole neighborhood loves him so much that out of respect for his passing we postponed our street party set for that very evening. Neighbors put flowers, balloons and candles around his yard. We met near dark and lit the candles and remembered him. We will miss him dearly. To his family, you are in my prayers.

No one | 12:49 a.m. June 7, 2009

If anyone even cares to know... the driver of the tow truck was also helping pull people from the vehicles until EMS strapped him to a back board!

Toni | 1:51 a.m. June 7, 2009

Tami, I am so proud of you and knowing you most of my life I am not at all surprised by your actions on such a horrible day.
My thoughts and prayers are with the families of all of those involved in this ordeal. Including Tami and her family.
There should be many more people like you in this world!
Your eagerness to help will always be remembered by all.
I love you girl.

Jennifer | 10:06 a.m. June 7, 2009

I had just dropped my girls off at Lagoon and was heading back to Salt Lake when I saw the accident scene a 1/2 mile ahead. I pulled over, as did a doctor and 2 nurses. The Camry driver had someone caring for him, so we rushed to the aid of Mr. Carver. Please let the family know he did not die alone and that many prayers from many faiths were said for him and his family.

Question | 11:04 a.m. June 7, 2009

I just wanted to ask about the "barrier" this tow truck plowed through.
Are those designed to prevent this kind of thing (vehicles crossing over into oncoming traffic)or am I feeling some measure of protection from them when they actually don't do what they seem like they are placed there to do?

D.S | 1:39 p.m. June 7, 2009

Mike was a neihgbor of nine, What a great man,so kind & always a smile & friendly hello, I can not exaggerate how thoughtful a man he was.My heart goes out to his family, as well as to the driver of the tow truck, & if Mike was here I know he would be forgiving.I am glad to hear he was not alone when he passed.

Irritated | 12:03 a.m. June 8, 2009

I am SHOCKED at how many people are harping on UDOT for this tragedy! This had to do with speed and lack of attention. The speed is reduced to 55. When I drive this I set my cruise at 60 and I might as well be standing still through this construction area! Everyone should just SLOW DOWN! There are more than just motorists at risk here, there are many workers wondering around too, trying to make our streets more efficient. It is a harsh change to the lanes, but if we were all being mindful of the speed limit and others lives, perhaps accidents would be reduced. My thought is there should be more highway patrol presence, and all harshly enforce the fees, people would slow down and we would have enough money in fines to pay for these improvements. Don't blame UDOT, blame those who are not obeying the law. They are there for a reason!! Mike was my neighbor and a great guy! We will miss him greatly!

:( | 8:30 a.m. June 8, 2009

Michael had just left my house and was heading home when this accident occurred. Not ten minutes earlier, we talked about how dangerous this section of the freeway is and how people need to pay attention when traveling it. People, SLOW DOWN, Pay attention, missing your exit and going one exit further because youre not in the right lane is ok.

pistol pete | 10:55 a.m. June 8, 2009

As a former resident of north salt lake i am very framiliar with this interchange, it has been a nightmare since it was built. And It has only became worse as the population has grow. This was a great tragedy that could have been avoided with better judgement on the tow truck drivers part. It is not UDOT's fault. My thoughts and prayers go out to the familes of all involved in this accident. As well as the tow truck driver.

rb | 4:46 p.m. June 8, 2009

Seattle has 3X the population as SLC, and 1/3 the number of FATALITIES.
Why?
SPEED!...please slow down and Obey the Laws of the Land.

gh | 7:51 a.m. June 13, 2009

I live in Phoenix and I must say, I hate driving on the roads when I come to Salt Lake. People drive way to fast up there. We have those speed cameras and it does help everyone slow down.

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