MILLARD COUNTY – The driver of a semitrailer is dead Sunday afternoon after crashing on Interstate 70, near milepost 6, in the area of Cove Fort sometime Friday night or Saturday. Because the area of the crash is not visible from the freeway, it was not discovered until a passerby happened to stop at the very location where the crash occurred and look out over an embankment.
Utah Highway Patrol is working to recover the body of 46-year-old Deron J. Mason, of Wiggins, Colorado, after passing motorists discovered the crash around noon Sunday.
Mason was carrying produce in his semitrailer heading east on I-70 when he crossed the rumble strips and emergency lane and left the right shoulder of the roadway, the Utah Highway Patrol said in a statement issued Sunday afternoon. The semi then went down a steep embankment and rolled, coming to rest partially on its roof.
Mason was not wearing a seatbelt and was partially ejected during the single-vehicle crash, UHP said, and became pinned underneath the semi.
The area where the semi crashed is not visible from the freeway and was not located until a passing motorist happened to stop at the particular location and looked over the embankment, according to UHP.
“At this point we know he fueled up in Las Vegas Friday morning and did not make his delivery in Denver on time,” the statement said. “We are still following up on the drivers log books and times to determine an approximate time the crash occurred, but it is likely to have been in excess of 24 hours.”
Due to the location of the semitrailer, authorities reported having a difficult time extricating Mason from beneath the truck. Heavy rain and hail also slowed the progress.
UHP is working with the U.S. Forest Service to cut down trees between a dirt road and the location of the truck so heavy equipment can access the accident
“Controlled substances are indicated,” UHP said, “and we are pursuing that further.”
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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I am sorry for his family. I grew up around trucks and heavy equipment and these types of accidents are always pretty awful. I am sure the people who had to deal with the accident cleanup had an unpleasant experience. I feel for them also.
Too bad the vicitm wasn’t wearing a seat belt. It would have prevented the ejection and probably saved his life. Hope he wasn’t one of those who would rather exercise liberty than be safe. Sad situation.