Car Pushed Under Trailer; I-80 Shuts Down
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – July 17, 2015 (Gephardt Daily) – Several people escaped serious injury Friday after a multi-car accident shut down eastbound I-80 near State Street in South Salt Lake.
According to Utah Highway Patrol, a pickup truck pulling a camp trailer was traveling eastbound on I-80 when it became detached from the hitch. The trailer was still connected to the pickup by the safety chain so the driver of the truck Amber Marchant , 28, of Taylorsville, pulled over to the right shoulder. The trailer was still mostly in the travel lane as the shoulder is extremely narrow on the bridge over State Street. Both Amber and her husband Brandon Marchant , 41, exited the pickup to examine the trailer.
Shortly after, a passenger car, driven by John Galanis, 54, of Salt Lake City, was traveling eastbound in the second lane from the right. Traffic ahead had slowed down due to the previous pickup and trailer incident.
Galanis, who appeared to be traveling too fast and following too close, struck the car in front of him, driven by Eric Molina-Mulato, 25, also from Salt Lake City, forcing Molina-Mulato’s car to slide underneath the camp trailer.
During the point of impact, the trailer pushed Mr. and Mrs. Marchant into the concrete bridge barrier.
Galanis suffered head and arm injuries and was transported to IMC in poor condition.
Amber Marchant suffered chest and head injuries and was also transported to IMC in poor condition.
Brandon Marchant, their two children, ages one and seven, were uninjured.
UHP wants to warn others as to the seriousness of this accident. “This crash could have been significantly worse and all involved are fortunate they were not more severely injured or killed. We would like to remind all drivers to allow a proper following distance (70 mph = 210 feet) and be alert for hazards on the roadway in front of them. Also, if you are ever involved in a crash or your car becomes disabled in the roadway, it is best to remain in the vehicle and call 911,” said Sgt. Jacob Cox, Utah Highway Patrol.
