Teen dies in crash after driver reportedly fell asleep at wheel

A 19-year-old man is killed in a truck rollover on state Route 56 near milepost 29 after the driver of the truck reportedly fell asleep at the wheel, Iron County, Utah, Jan. 31, 2017 | Photo Courtesy of Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News

SOUTHERN UTAH — A crash claimed the life of a 19-year-old man Tuesday morning after the driver of the truck he was traveling in reportedly fell asleep at the wheel.

A 19-year-old man is killed in a truck rollover on state Route 56 near milepost 29 after the driver of the truck reportedly fell asleep at the wheel, Iron County, Utah, Jan. 31, 2017 | Photo courtesy of Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News

At approximately 7:43 a.m., emergency crews were dispatched to the fatal rollover on state Route 56 near milepost 29, east of Beryl, Utah Highway Patrol Trooper Brian Bairett said.

“Upon arrival, it was found that the passenger, traveling in a truck that was eastbound on SR-56, was ejected and died on scene after the driver of the truck fell asleep and ran off the road,” Bairett said.

The passenger, described as a 19-year-old male of Colorado City, Arizona, had not been wearing a seat belt, Bairett said.

Although the driver – a 20-year-old male from Colorado City – was also not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, he was not ejected from the truck, the trooper said.

A 19-year-old man is killed in a truck rollover on state Route 56 near milepost 29 after the driver of the truck reportedly fell asleep at the wheel, Iron County, Utah, Jan. 31, 2017 | Photo Courtesy of Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News

While the driver’s injuries were not life-threatening, he did sustain a broken leg, a broken foot and a head injury and was subsequently transported via ambulance to Cedar City Hospital, Bairett said.

“Speed and fatigue are the contributing factors in this crash,” Bairett said. “The driver relayed that he fell asleep.”

As this report is published, officials had not released the names of those involved pending notification of next of kin.

Highway Patrol officials said Tuesday’s crash serves as an important reminder for motorists not to drive drowsy and to always wear a seat belt.

This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2017, all rights reserved.

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