PAYSON, Utah — An early morning highway crash in Utah County claimed the lives of two people, while a 15-year-old teenager was critically injured.
The crash happened around 1:20 a.m. about one mile South of Payson in the northbound lanes of Interstate 15. Utah Highway Patrol told FOX 13 News the crash involved a semi-truck as well as a Honda Civic.
Initially, a semi-truck drifted off the road to the left and overcorrected back to the right, which caused the driver to lose control and roll the semi-truck on its side.
"A short time later," UHP reported a red Honda Civic was traveling northbound through the area and "did not notice the overturned semi," hitting the trailer that was blocking the freeway.
The Civic's female driver and a 21-year-old female passenger died at the scene, while the teen remains in critical condition. The truck driver sustained only minor injuries in the crash.
The semi-truck was hauling plastic crates or shelving that UHP said was "compromised" during the incident.
While an investigation and cleanup were underway, UHP closed I-15 for several hours and traffic was diverted at exit 244 in the area.
