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SPRINGVILLE, Utah, June 21, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — A teenage driver was killed in an early morning crash in Utah County on Thursday.
Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. David Rumfield told Gephardt Daily the female victim was headed southbound on Interstate 15, five miles south of Provo at about 1:30 a.m., when the Ford Focus she was driving drifted off the right side of the road and struck a guard rail.
The teen’s car bounced back into the southbound traffic lanes where it was hit by another vehicle traveling at approximately 70 mph.
According to Rumfield, a passing ambulance crew came upon the accident just moments after the crash. They tried desperately to save the teen, but she passed away at the scene.
Rumfield said the driver — whose identity has yet to be released — suffered traumatic injuries which might have been avoided had she been wearing a seatbelt.
The driver of the other vehicle, who was wearing a seatbelt, sustained only minor injuries.
Investigators have yet to determine the cause of the initial crash, although they said drowsy driving may have been a factor.
Gephardt Daily will update the story as more information becomes available.
