A wrong-way driver died in a head-on collision on Interstate 80 near Hoytsville on Thursday, Oct. 15. A cargo van driver was hospitalized, and eastbound lanes closed for about four hours during the afternoon commute.
The crash happened around 2:30 p.m. near milepost 161, between Coalville and Hoytsville. A white Chevrolet Impala was traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes when it struck an eastbound Ford Transit cargo van, according to the Utah Department of Public Safety. KPCW reported that the Impala’s driver was from out of state.
Utah Highway Patrol Lt. Zach Randall confirmed the wrong-way driver died at the scene, according to Gephardt Daily. The publication reported that the driver was a 78-year-old man.
The cargo van driver suffered a leg injury and was taken to a hospital by ambulance, according to the state’s crash release.
“Age and/or medical condition are being investigated as possible contributing factors,” the department said in the release. Authorities have not established either as the cause.
Eastbound I-80 reopened at approximately 6:40 p.m., about four hours after the crash, TownLift reported.
The crash site falls within the North Summit Fire District’s coverage area. The district covers 500 square miles, including 55 miles of interstate, according to a Sept. 25 Park Record report about emergency medical services.
“We cover 55 miles of interstate freeway, so we have a lot of freeway for things to happen on,” Battalion Chief Tyler Rowser told the newspaper.
