ST. GEORGE — A teen traveling with his family from Oregon to Utah to visit relatives for the holidays was killed in a crash on Interstate 215 near Taylorsville Saturday morning.
The crash happened shortly after 8 a.m. when a family of five from Westfir, Oregon, were heading south on I-215 to Cottonwood Heights in a 2004 Dodge Durango, according to a statement released by the Utah Highway Patrol Saturday.
Investigators said they believe the driver, identified as the mother of the family, fell asleep at the wheel of the SUV and went straight through a curve in the roadway near 5800 South.
The driver then overcorrected, sending the SUV off of the right side of the roadway before it hit a sign and rolled into a concrete sound wall.
The right rear section of the SUV was most heavily impacted, the statement said, which is where 19-year-old Cage Patterson was seated when the SUV struck the wall.
He died at the scene from injuries sustained in the crash.
The teen’s two parents and two brothers also suffered minor injuries in the crash and were transported to Intermountain Medical Center in Murray to be treated for their injuries. All occupants were wearing seat belts.
At this time, speed, impairment and weather do not appear to be factors in the crash, according to UHP.
This report is based on statements from police or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.
Click on photo to enlarge it, then use your left-right arrow keys to cycle through the gallery.
A 2004 Dodge Durango rolls into a cement wall on I-15 near Taylorsville, killing a 19-year-old traveling from Oregon to Utah for the holidays Saturday morning, Salt Lake County, Utah, Dec. 23, 2017 | Photo courtesy of the Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News Debris is scattered along the shoulder of I-215 southbound after a car rolls into the cement wall, killing a 19-year-old Oregon teen Saturday morning, Salt Lake County, Utah, Dec. 23, 2017 | Photo courtesy of the Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News Debris is scattered along the shoulder of I-215 southbound after a rollover kills a 19-year-old Oregon teen Saturday morning, Salt Lake County, Utah, Dec. 23, 2017 | Photo courtesy of the Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News 2004 Dodge Durango after rollover on I-215 that kills an Oregon teen Saturday morning, Salt Lake County, Utah, Dec. 23, 2017 | Photo courtesy of the Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News
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Oh my that is heartbreaking. Those pictures are devastating. That bear reminds us there were children in that vehicle.
My heart breaks for that family
Looking at how demolished the vehicle is , I am surprised anyone survived .
I’ve seen ones crushed but never with so many parts missing ,
almost as if everything was held together with plastic screws which busted on impact .
Made a trip from St George to Layton myself today. Couldn’t believe all the inconsiderate … drivers on the road, some of then had to be doing 100 mph, tailgatingn brake checking, the usual road rage crap.You’d think on Christmas eve people would take a break from themselves and extend a little warmth and kindness to those around them, but no, to the “me generation” it’s just another day. That Marine Corp General is right, a wars coming. Ed: ellipsis