Elderly driver causes wrong-way crash on Bangerter Highway; 6 people transported to hospitals

A multi-vehicle car crash has closed southbound Bangerter Highway from 6200 South to 7000 South in West Jordan Tuesday afternoon. Photo Courtesy: WJPD
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WEST JORDAN, Utah, Nov. 20, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — A multi-vehicle car crash has closed southbound Bangerter Highway from 6200 South to 7000 South in West Jordan Tuesday afternoon.

The accident occurred in the southbound lanes near 6500 South at approximately 4 p.m., according to a tweet from the West Jordan Police Department.

Officials said an elderly driver who may have been suffering a medical issue turned onto southbound Bangerter Highway at 7000 South, and drove the wrong way, northbound.

The man hit a West Valley City police officer’s vehicle, then hit a minivan carrying five people head-on. One of the people in the minivan had to be extricated following the crash, officials said. When the elderly man hit the minivan, it dislodged the engine block in the man’s vehicle, officials said. Another car then hit the engine block.

Six people have been transported to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.

West Valley Police tweeted after the incident: “One of our sergeants was hit by a wrong way driver on Bangerter Highway as he passed through West Jordan on his way home after training. We are thankful to report that the sergeant is being checked out, but appears to be OK. We send our best wishes to all injured in this crash.”

The road will be closed until at least 6 p.m. and drivers are being urged to plan an alternate route.

Gephardt Daily has a crew at the scene and will have more on this developing story as information is made available.

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