WOODS CROSS -- Fog, slush, frozen rain and drivers traveling too fast for the conditions were major factors in a 13-vehicle pile-up here on I-15 Saturday morning. It's just a good thing it didn't happen on Monday morning. The accident, which shut down the freeway for more than five hours, occurred just after 7 a.m., near 2600 South on southbound I-15. South Davis Metro Fire Agency deputy chief Jim Rampton said that witnesses told him a fog bank rolled in and then back out just as fast. "By time I got there 10-15 minutes after the accident, visibility was good, not great, but good." He said the road itself was slushy, with frozen areas. "I don't know exactly what happened. There may have been an initial wreck with people stopping. Then a semi came along and pushed the vehicles in front of it."

Traffic slowed to a crawl, as the section of interstate was closed. I-15 was closed in the area until about 12:30 p.m. Traffic was diverted to U.S. 89. One motorist said it took him 45 minutes to make it from Centerville to Bountiful, a trip normally taking less than 15 minutes.

Two people were taken to the University of Utah Hospital in critical condition, while 23 others were taken to Lakeview Hospital and Salt Lake area hospitals or were treated and released at the scene with less extensive injuries. Because of the fog and other factors, Life Flight was not able to fly and those in critical condition were transported by ambulance.

Rampton said that probably didn't jeopardize their treatment, but did tax resources, as paramedics had to go into the hospital with the patients.

The fuel tanks on two semi-trucks involved ruptures, causing diesel fuel to spread across southbound lanes

One vehicle hit the concrete barrier and flipped, sending concrete flying into the northbound lanes.

SDMFA had five ambulances, and three fire engines, as well as other support apparatus. Paramedics from the fire agency and the Davis County Sheriff's Department were at the scene, in addition to Utah Highway Patrol troopers. Farmington Fire had an ambulance available.

Three other crashes were reported between Bountiful and Centerville between 8:30 and 10 a.m. Rampton said one of those crashes near Pages Lane, involved seven cars and injured 10 people. The Farmington ambulance was used in one of those subsequent crashes.

"It would have been a lot worse if it had happened Monday morning," Rampton said, adding, "We need Legacy (the proposed Legacy Park-way). We lucked out again."



mwilliams@davisclipper.com