LOGAN — Law enforcement has released the identity of the victim in Sunday’s fatal crash north of Cove. Heather Marshall, a 39-year-old Lewiston woman was pronounced dead at the scene, shortly after the car she was driving was hit head-on by an out of control SUV.
The Dec. 15 crash was reported at 1:43 p.m. on US-91, about one mile south of the Utah/Idaho border.
Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Jason Kendrick said Marshall was driving northbound in a Mazda3, when a GMC Terrain that was traveling southbound swerved into oncoming traffic, hitting the car head-on.
Witnesses told troopers it appeared the SUV hydroplaned, but the exact cause of the accident remains under investigation.
Kendrick said the crash is a tragic reminder of how important it is to have good traction, especially during winter months when roads can be slick.
“Tires are a big factor this time of year,” explained Kendrick. “With bad weather, wet roads, or snow and ice, it is important to have good equipment and be prepared for the road you are on.”
One killed and three others injured in a US-91 crash at Utah/Idaho state line.
Troopers report three occupants were in the SUV. The driver, a man from Preston, was not wearing a seat belt, and was taken to the hospital with significant injuries. A female passenger in the front seat was wearing a seat belt. She was also injured and transferred to a Salt Lake area hospital. A 10-month-old baby in the backseat was in a car seat. The child was flown from the scene to Primary Children’s Hospital.
Sunday’s crash was the third fatal accident to occur along the same stretch of road in the past month.
In November, Timothy Christian Moosman died in a similar head-on collision in Richmond. The 44-year-old man from Preston, Idaho was traveling northbound along US-91 in a Dodge pickup truck. Just north of the Main Street intersection, a silver Ford pickup truck was traveling southbound, when it crossed into oncoming traffic.
Last week, a 23-year-old Preston, Idaho woman died in a multi-vehicle crash on US-91 at Legacy Drive, in Franklin. That crash remains under investigation by the Idaho State Police.
Kendrick said it appears all of the recent crashes involve different levels of drowsy driving, and not paying attention to the road.
“Yeah, these have all involved being tired,” explained Kendrick. “So, if you are drowsy or tired, pull over and rest a minute or get some sleep before you drive. Obviously, we want people to also slow down, be careful and wear your seat belts.”
Funeral services for Marshall have not been finalized yet.