The switchbacks on Highway 191 south of Flaming Gorge and north of Vernal are notoriously dangerous and an accident that took place Wednesday morning certainly demonstrates that. According to Utah Highway Patrol, at approximately 11am a semi was traveling too fast and couldn’t negotiate a curve. The semi ended up on its side with the front blocking much of the Highway and the tanker off the road. Gas was also reportedly spilling in the crash aftermath. The road was closed off and on for clean up but they were still letting traffic through for the majority of the day. The road was fully reopened around 6pm. Both occupants of the semi were transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. A UDOT project is scheduled for 2025 that will eliminate the switchbacks on Highway 191 and replace them with longer, more gradual curves that are easier to navigate and safer for all drivers.
