Authorities say 22-year-old, Dustin Rice was critically injured in an Utah automobile crash in Clearfield, Utah near the 650 North exit. According to abc4.com, the man was driving a pickup truck that slammed into a sound wall on Interstate 15 on Tuesday, January 19, 2010. UHP’s Sgt. Greg Lundell says, “When he went off the west side, he actually vaulted. So, he went from the lower side of the road, flipped up and actually struck about eight feet up on the wall before coming back down on the top.”
The man may have actually been dead when paramedics arrived, but paramedics were able to revive Mr. Rice and transport him to McKay-Dee Hospital where he is being treated for his injuries. Officials say he was not wearing a seat belt and had to be extricated from the truck.
I wish the best for Mr. Rice as he recovers from this auto accident..
Single-Vehicle Run-off Road Car Accidents
Run-off the road car accidents (ROR) involve a vehicle that leaves the normal travel lane and encroaches onto a median, roadside, sound barrier or separator. According to a study performed by the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration, ROR crashes contribute to the largest proportion of fatalities and serious injuries in single-vehicle accidents. About 70% of fatal single-vehicle crashes involve a vehicle that is outside the normal travel lane.
Many factors contribute to single-vehicle auto accidents including drowsy driving, alcohol use, roadway alignment with curve, speeding, and adverse weather. Vehicle speed is the number one reason that increases the risk of a fatal single-car vehicle accident.
Curved road segments are more likely to be the scene of ROR crashes and speed is a factor in 90% of these type of accidents. ROR crashes occur 74.2 percent of the time at night and are much more likely during times of adverse weather such as rain, sleet, snow, fog or smoke. Also, vehicles with young drivers (age 15 to 24), like this accident with Mr. Rice, are more likely to be involved in ROR crashes as compared to other age groups of drivers.
Ron Kramer is an Utah personal injury lawyer who specializes in auto accident case. He has offices in Provo, Draper and Bountiful, Utah.