DPS NEWS

SR-40 injury crash involving a semi tanker

At about 9:00 AM, a grey 2006 Mercedes Benz was westbound on SR-40 going up a grade near milepost 11 in the right lane in Heber City. There was a slower moving semi tanker in the right lane ahead. The driver of the Mercedes failed to slow or change lanes and impacted with the rear of the semi trailer at a significantly higher speed than the truck was going. The female driver of the Mercedes sustained significant lower body injuries and was transported by ground ambulance to the hospital. The male driver of the semi is being checked for possible injury. SR-40 westbound was closed completely for about 30 minutes while medical and fire personnel extricated the Mercedes’ driver. Currently the right lane is closed westbound, and the left lane is open for travel. We anticipate reopening both lanes by around 10:15 am, and there may be an intermittent lane closures after that so the rear tank trailer can be towed from the emergency lane. Impairment is being investigated as a possible cause for why the driver of the Mercedes impacted the tanker.