UTAH COUNTY, Utah, Oct. 16, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — Six teenagers were lucky to survive when the Ford F-150 they were in went off State Route 92 and into a river Saturday night.
Utah Highway Patrol Trooper Chris Bishop said the group — all approximately 17 years old and from Orem — was coming down from Sundance after having dinner on Homecoming night. He said the driver was going too fast, got over a little too far, and turned the vehicle off the shoulder and down the embankment near Mile Marker 26, about a mile and a half below Sundance.
“Speed was definitely a factor that we’re investigating,” Bishop said. “It’s 35 mph coming down this road, and we’re estimating he was going well above 35.”
He said no drugs or alcohol were involved.
The truck rolled, possibly a good 20 feet, and landed on its roof, upside down in the North Fork of the Provo River. Everyone was out of the vehicle by the time UHP arrived, Bishop said.
Three of the teens had minor injuries, including one who had a minor head injury and was transported to the hospital. None of the injuries were life-threatening.
“Luckily, everyone was wearing seat belts,” Bishop said. “Seat belts save lives.”
Bishop added that it’s important for everyone to remember that driving is a responsibility.
“You’re responsible for yourself and everybody in that vehicle. You need to observe the speed limit, especially if you’re with a group of friends…we all know we want to have fun, but you need to drive within your means and within the law and the speed limit.”
Why are there just comments from the trooper? He wasn’t there. He didn’t know what was going on. Hes just guessing. “Estimating”. The driver wasn’t even recklessly driving. Sometimes things just happen and you don’t need a reason for things to accidentally happen. IT just happens.
And sometimes your driving to f ast.