The switchbacks on SR-191 north of Vernal are a known safety concern, especially for large vehicles, and a crash that took place there on Monday morning had a fatal result. According to Utah Highway Patrol, a semi-truck hauling oilfield pipe was traveling South on SR-191 near MM 367 in the switchbacks north of Vernal on February 7th at 5:04am. “The semi-truck lost control and left the roadway on one of the switchbacks causing the semi to roll, throwing the 6 inch 43 foot steel pipe all over the highway,” shares Highway Patrol. “The Semi came to rest upside down off of the highway. The driver and sole occupant of the truck was ejected and sustained fatal injuries in the crash.” UDOT had to transport heavy equipment to the scene to lift and remove the pipe from the road. The road reopened at 7:30am. The semi’s driver was a 24 year-old male driver from Texas. Our condolences to the family and friends of this young man.
