Semi truck rollover in Garden City, Tuesday, May 17, 2022. (Courtesy: Utah Highway Patrol)
GARDEN CITY — Another semi-truck has rolled while trying to turn at a Garden City intersection that has a history of damaging crashes and fatal accidents. The latest incident was reported at 5:55 a.m. Tuesday morning, east of Bear Lake.
Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Cade Brenchley said the semi was northbound on US-89, entering city limits, when the driver claimed he was unable to slow down for the intersection.
“In the driver’s words, his brakes went out and got soft,” explained Brenchley. “He wasn’t slowing down sufficiently to make the turn or come to a complete stop safely. He went to make the left turn and rolled onto its side, basically sliding into the curb and gutter.”
The driver was unhurt and no other vehicles were involved. The truck was hauling about 40,000 pounds of bottled water.
Troopers closed a portion of Bear Lake Boulevard temporarily while the trailer was unloaded and crews gathered evidence.
Brenchley said inspectors found nothing wrong with the truck. The driver’s description of “soft brakes” indicates that the truck may have been travelling too fast, considering the weight it was carrying.
“It very well could be driver error, or that he is not properly using his engine brakes in order to take the stress off of his wheel brakes essentially.”
The driver showed no signs of impairment and troopers don’t believe there were any other factors in the crash.
Brenchley said, Tuesday’s crash is another reminder for drivers, both commercial and private, to follow the law and check their brakes at designated stopes.
“If your vehicle is over 10,000 pounds, it is the law that you stop at the Brake Check Areas. In this particular instance, it is right at the summit, on the Rich and Cache county line. You are required to use the brake check, come to a complete stop, and make sure your brakes are working properly and sufficiently.”
In 2020, a $5 million ramp project was completed where the highway comes into Garden City to prevent runaway trucks. It however has yet to be used reportedly.
will@cvradio.com