Centerville, UT (May 10, 2022) – A succession of odd occurrences forced the total shut down of the northbound and southbound lanes of Interstate 15 in Centerville on Monday, May 9th.
A previously blown power transformer led to a powerline hanging precariously low over a set of railroad tracks just west of the interstate. The road closure was initiated at about 4:10 a.m. when a train ran into the downed line and dragged it over the interstate.
Then, a tractor-trailer got tangled in the line which caused it to crash into the center barrier and overturn. The rollover resulted in heavy fuel and oil leaks.
Debris from the collision was scattered into the oncoming lanes and caused damage to multiple vehicles, resulting in a total shut down of the interstate between 500 West and Parrish Lane.
Emergency responders, including South Davis Metro Fire, Utah Highway Patrol, and the Utah Department of Transportation, managed to clear the scene and get the northbound lanes reopened by 5:30 a.m.
Southbound lanes were reopened by about 9:00 a.m.
The tractor-trailer operator was hospitalized with non-critical injuries. The crew and passengers of the train were unharmed.
Our thoughts are with the injured victim and their family at this time. We hope for their full recovery.
Not all negligence that causes car accidents stems from another driver. Every year, numerous victims are harmed in accidents caused by dangerous road conditions. When Utah residents get behind the wheel, they do so believing that the streets and highways they are about to drive on were not only designed but also maintained with their safety in mind.
Depending on the cause of the accident, a town, county, utility company, or construction company may be responsible for your injuries. When these entities fail to develop and upkeep roadways and their surrounding areas in a safe manner, dangerous accidents can happen.
Streets and highways across the state need to be laid out in such a way that they can accommodate a wide variety of traffic, such as motorcycles, bicycles, all kinds of cars, SUVs, and tractor-trailers as safely as possible. When a municipality or corporation fails to do so, it can be held liable for the resulting damages.
Some of the hazardous conditions that could potentially justify legal action where dangerous road conditions are concerned include:
- An inherently unsafe road design, including inclines that are dangerous in inclement weather
- An absent or damaged guardrail
- A poor or obstructed line of sight at an intersection
- No or insufficient warning signals or signs such as the ones required at railway crossings
- Poorly designed or unmarked bike lanes, especially close to traffic circles
- Construction crews or utility workers fail to obey important safety standards and guidelines when working and fail to properly maintain their equipment
- Uncollected debris or defects in the roadway that are known to UDOT representatives or officials
Hazardous road conditions can also include obstructed or improper signage, inadequate lighting, poor road construction, unsafe speed limits, malfunctioning stoplights, potholes, uneven asphalt, and more.
If you sustained an injury caused by another person or entity’s negligent behavior, contact ourUtah personal injury lawyers at (801) 350-3506 to schedule a no-obligation case assessment to see how we can help you.
Notes: The details and information utilized to create this post were gathered through the use of secondary sources. The details surrounding this accident have not been independently verified by the writing staff at Jardine Law Offices P.C.. These sources include but are not limited to newspaper stories, local news sources, local and state police reports, and eyewitness accounts about serious accidents that take place in Utah. If you locate any information that is inaccurate, please contact us right away so that we can update the post with the most accurate information available. If you would like the post to be removed, please let us know and we will remove it as soon as possible.
Disclaimers: The attorneys at Jardine Law Offices P.C. have worked hard through the years to build a solid business reputation in the community. We write about these serious incidents to bring awareness about the dangers associated with driving in hopes that our fellow community members will use an abundance of caution when operating a motor vehicle and avoid being involved in a serious accident themselves. This story is not intended to be a solicitation for business. The information provided in this post should not be misconstrued as medical or legal advice. The photos used in this post are not taken from the scene of this accident.