WASATCH COUNTY, Utah, May 22, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — The Utah Department of Public Safety has identified the truck driver who died when he went through a guard rail to plummet into the Deer Creek Reservoir.
The deceased is Richard Bowman, 62, Torrey, Utah.
Monday at 7:12 pm, Bowman’s semi truck pulling a tank full of propane was southbound on SR-189 near mile marker 24 when, for an unknown reason, the semi went off the road and jackknifed, according to a DPS press release.
“The semi and the tanker went through a guardrail and came to rest in Deer Creek Reservoir. No other vehicles were involved.”
During the crash, the tank was ruptured, releasing propane gas into the air, which delayed recovery efforts to locate Bowman. The cab of the truck was submerged and the trailer was partially submerged.
Due to the hazmat situation, crews closed SR-189 in both directions, a closure which continued overnight while the trailer continued to vent off the gas, the DPS said. “Once Hazmat teams felt that it was safe, equipment was brought in to remove the semi from the reservoir.”
Bowman was later located deceased inside the cab of the truck as it was brought back up onto the roadway. This incident is under investigation to determine the causing factors.
