DPS NEWS

Wrong Way Fatal I-15 MP 271 (Trooper Involved)

On Sunday, December 17, 2023, at about 1:51 am, DPS Dispatch broadcast a report of a wrong-way driver traveling northbound in the southbound lanes on I-15 around milepost 269. Trooper Rios-Redd was stationary just north of the area and started heading that way. As Trooper Rios-Redd was traveling southbound on I-15, before any additional information could be gathered or broadcast to him, the Trooper’s vehicle and the wrong-way vehicle collided head-on near milepost 271. 

Other responding Troopers were not far behind.  When Trooper Fagan arrived at the scene, he checked on the condition of Trooper Rios-Redd.  As he did so, he noticed the vehicle was on fire.  Trooper Fagan broke out the driver’s window in an attempt to extricate Trooper Rios-Redd from the patrol car.  The fire was growing and Trooper Fagan retrieved an extinguisher to subdue the fire.  The troopers were able to eventually get the car door open and Trooper Fagan removed Trooper Rios-Redd and moved him to a safer location. 

The adult female driver of the wrong-way vehicle sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene.  The adult female passenger of that vehicle was transported by ground to an area hospital in critical condition.  Initially a medical helicopter was requested but never landed at the scene.  Trooper Rios-Redd was also transported to an area hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries. 

All SB lanes were closed around 2:00 am and the closure lasted approximately 7 to 8 hours.

The Utah County Critical Incident Team is conducting an investigation into this incident. 

Driver of wrong way vehicle – Natalie Munchgesang     Age: 26     From: Provo, UT

Trooper Rios-Redd

Trooper Fagan