Santaquin Woman Dies in Car Accident with Two Semi-Trucks
According to an article by the Daily Herald, “Wreck kills one on I-15 in Payson,” 28-year-old Melissa Sandoval was killed last Thursday morning when she was forced off the road by a semitrailer. As Sandoval was driving northbound on I-15 near Payson a semitrailer hit her Ford PT Cruiser two times, the second hit sending her across the median and into the southbound lanes and oncoming traffic. Another semitrailer traveling south then struck her car, killing her.
Utah Highway Patrol officer Cameron Roden said that the driver of the first semitrailer, 43-year-old Marcus Winzer of Los Angeles, was driving recklessly and was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment. Winzer was also charged with a logbook violation for exceeding federal regulations that limit the amount of time truck drivers can be on the road.
The driver of the second semitrailer, John Caouette of Salt Lake City, was also arrested for driving under the influence. Caouette tested positive for marijuana.
Our condolences to Melissa Sandoval’s family and friends. This tragedy would not have happened if these professional drivers took their jobs more seriously.
Trucking companies have extensive accident teams that fly out to accident sites within 24 hours of an accident. They conduct their investigation and quickly create their defenses to liability. Since the trucking companies already have legal teams working for them, Melissa’s family would be well served to hire a Utah wrongful death attorney to protect their interests and perform their own investigation of this sad accident.
