Hirschi Steele & Baer, PLLC - 136 E. South Temple, Suite 1650, Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Woman and Unborn Child Die in Multi-Vehicle Crash

Late on Sunday night, December 18, a woman and her unborn child died in a multi-vehicle crash.

According to the Utah Highway Patrol, the events started on Interstate 15 near Cove Fort at around noon. The incident began when there was a minor accident involving a semi-trailer rig and a snow plow in the southbound lanes of the freeway near milepost 140. Most of the traffic was slowing as it neared the accident especially as the conditions were icy and snowy. But as they slowed another semi tractor- trailor rear-ended a pickup truck, pushing it on top of a sedan being driven by 22 year old Bailey Huerta of Salt Lake City. Her sedan then crashed into the back of the semi from the original crash.

Huerta, who was six months pregnant, was flown by helicopter to the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in very critical condition. A female passenger was taken by ambulance to the same hospital in serious condition along with the driver of the semi that began the chain reaction crash also in serious condition

Three occupants in the pickup truck were transported to the hospital in Fillmore also in a serious condition.

Huerta died later the same day along with her unborn child.

The accident remained under investigation.

If you have been injured as a result of an accident, give our offices a call immediately. We have the expertise and experience to get you the compensation you need. Contact us at  (801) 990-0500 or contact us online today for a free consultation.

Three Vehicle Crash Leaves Woman Dead

On Saturday night, November 12, a three vehicle crash in West Valley City left a woman dead and one critically injured.

According to West Valley Police Department the accident happened around 6 p.m. at the intersection of 4700 South and 5600 West. It appears that 55 year old Maria C. Alvarez of West Valley City and her husband were in a car which turned left in front of an SUV, which was trying to make a yellow light. Following that collision in which the car was T-boned, both vehicles crashed into another which was stopped at a red light.

The married couple had to be extricated and Alvarez was taken to hospital by ambulance and from there airlifted to another hospital where she died. Her husband was taken to hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

No one else was seriously hurt, although a pregnant woman riding in another vehicle suffered minor injuries.

The accident is still under investigation.

If you have been injured as a result of an accident, give our offices a call immediately. We have the expertise and experience to get you the compensation you need. Contact us at  (801) 990-0500 or contact us online today for a free consultation.

Salt Lake City Man Dies in Single-Vehicle Accident

Early on Thursday morning, October 20, a Salt Lake City man died in a single-vehicle accident on a West Valley City section of State Road 201.

According to the Utah Highway Patrol the accident happened at around 3.50 a.m. near 5000 West a mile away from Bangerter Highway, when 72 year old Vernon R. Wade of Salt Lake City crashed his SUV. He was driving east when his vehicle left the roadway and hit the center concrete barrier. The vehicle then spun and rolled, coming to rest on its roof.

Wade was not wearing a seat belt, but he was not ejected and nevertheless suffered severe head trauma. According to the UHP they believe the accident occurred due to an unknown medical issue suffered by Wade.

There were no witnesses to the crash, but speed and alcohol were not believed to be contributing factors.

If you have been injured as a result of an accident, give our offices a call immediately. We have the expertise and experience to get you the compensation you need. Contact us at  (801) 990-0500 or contact us online today for a free consultation.

Pedestrian was Hit and Killed by Motorist

On Wednesday night, September 14, a pedestrian was hit and killed by a motorist.

According to Salt Lake City police, the accident happened when the man was crossing 700 East near 2700 West at around 9 p.m. Investigators think that the unidentified man, though to be in his 50s or 60s was walking against the light when he was hit by a woman driver in an SUV vehicle traveling southbound.

He was taken to Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, where he died a short while later.

Initial investigation shows that the man was not impaired but toxicology results are awaited.

The woman is cooperating with investigators and there is no sign that she was exceeding the speed limit. In addition, it is thought the woman driver had a green light.

As the man had no identification on him, it is hoped that an autopsy will lead to an identification.

If you have been injured as a result of an accident, give our offices a call immediately. We have the expertise and experience to get you the compensation you need. Contact us at  (801) 990-0500 or contact us online today for a free consultation.

Americans Love to Ride Motorcycles but You Need to be Safe

With over seven million motorcycles on the road it is clear that Americans love to ride. However although motorcycles make up around one percent of the vehicles in the country, they count for ten percent of traffic fatalities.

Motorcycling can be dangerous as there is little to protect the rider and passenger. In order to stay safe it is important to understand where most accidents happen. One of the most dangerous situations for motorcyclists is at intersections as often other drivers do not see the motorcycle and turn in front of them or right into them. If you are on a motorcycle be very careful going through an intersection and look at every part. Even if a car is indicating that it will turn, it may not, so be prepared to take evasive action.

When riding a motorcycle it is vital to practice defensive riding and assume that everyone else on the road may not see you or may make and unexpected maneuver.

If you have been injured as a result of an accident, give our offices a call immediately. We have the expertise and experience to get you the compensation you need. Contact us at  (801) 990-0500 or contact us online today for a free consultation.

Parleys Canyon Crash Sends Two to Hospital

On Tuesday afternoon, December 1, a crash near the mouth of Parleys Canyon sent several people to the hospital with critical injuries.

According to the Utah Department of Transportation, the crash happened at around 4.20 p.m. in the northbound lanes of I 215 E near 3300 S.

John Campbell, age 41 from Sandy was driving a Subaru coming out of Parleys Canyon. It appears that he made a wrong turn and drove into oncoming traffic on I 215E, which led to a head on collision with a northbound Chrysler and pushed it into a third vehicle.

Campbell had to be extricated and was taken to University Hospital in critical condition and the female driver of the Chrysler was also taken to the hospital with what is thought to be two broken legs. Both have since been upgraded to serious condition.

The Utah Highway Patrol say that Campbell was impaired by drugs or alcohol and will be cited with a driving under the influence and driving the wrong way on a road.

If you have been injured as a result of an accident, give our offices a call immediately. We have the expertise and experience to get you the compensation you need. Contact us at  (801) 990-0500 or contact us online today for a free consultation.

Tailgating

Tailgating is not only dangerous but is a contributing factor in one third of all crashes.

Tailgating literally means riding on the car in front’s “tail” by following too closely. Drivers tailgate because they are impatient, running late, or are uneducated as to the dangers involved in not keeping a proper distance. Drivers increase their risk of rear-ending the vehicle in front when following at less than two seconds and it is no surprise that when the vehicle in front has to stop suddenly tailgaters are left with no time to brake.

If you are a victim of tailgating there are some steps you can take to avoid being involved in an accident. As hard as this may be, resist the urge to tap your brakes (just enough to light up your brake lights), in the hope that this will get the tailgater to back off, as this can cause the very crash you are trying to avoid. Instead, if possible, move to another lane and let the tailgater pass, or stay in the right hand land so that other drivers can use the left lane to safely pass. If is not possible use another lane, try to maintain the speed limit and leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front.

If you have been injured as a result of an accident, give our offices a call immediately. We have the expertise and experience to get you the compensation you need. Contact us at  (801) 990-0500 or contact us online today for a free consultation.

Woman was Killed When she Lost Control

On Thursday, September 17, a woman was killed when she lost control of her vehicle.

According to Unified police, the accident happened just before 11 a.m. when 70 year old Mary Clark was driving north on Redwood Road. She was approaching the intersection at 4200 South when she increased speed for reasons unknown, crossed into the southbound lanes and ran into a traffic semaphore pole.

The impact of the crash was very severe and the front of her car was completely destroyed and crushed. Clark was transported to a local hospital with critical injuries where she later passed away.

Investigators are considering the possibility that Clark suffered from a medical problem immediately before the crash.

The traffic lights were damaged in the collision, and the road was closed to southbound traffic for several hours so that the accident could be cleared and the traffic lights repaired.

If you have been injured as a result of an accident, give our offices a call immediately. We have the expertise and experience to get you the compensation you need. Contact us at  (801) 990-0500 or contact us online today for a free consultation.

Man and a Woman Died in Fatal Crash

On Friday night, August 14 a man and a woman died in a fatal crash.

According to South Salt Lake Police Department the accident happened at around 6.45 p.m. on 400 East and 2200 South. A streetcar was passing the intersection and although there is a stop sign there is no other warning that a streetcar is coming through.

Although the streetcar was only traveling at around 25 mph it smashed into a black Audi being driven 36 year old Jessalyn L. Heaton with her passenger, 33 year old Raymond Benally, both of Salt Lake City. Both of them were killed in the crash.

It is still not known exactly what led to the crash, but those in the area say that the stop sign is not sufficient and called on authorities to do more to resolve the situation and went on to say that they had warned the city that someone would be killed at the crossing.

Friends of the couple who died said that they were dating and that Heaton was pregnant with her first child.

If you have been injured as a result of an accident, give our offices a call immediately. We have the expertise and experience to get you the compensation you need. Contact us at  (801) 990-0500 or contact us online today for a free consultation.

Fatal Car Crash in West Valley City

On Thursday, July 2, there was a fatal car crash in West Valley City.

According to the Utah Highway Patrol the accident happened around 9 p.m. in the area of 5600 West and 201. Graham Ambrose, aged 51 and of Sandy, was getting tools out of the trunk of his car in order to change a tire when a speeding vehicle, being driven by 21 year old Anthony Lopez, crashed into both him and the car, throwing him around 200 feet.

Ambrose was declared dead at the scene and his 63 year old wife, Lynette Ambrose, who was in the car as a passenger, was taken to hospital with critical injuries. Lopez was also taken to hospital with critical injuries.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation as it is not known why Lopez lost control of his vehicle.

If you have been injured as a result of an accident, give our offices a call immediately. We have the expertise and experience to get you the compensation you need. Contact us at  (801) 990-0500 or contact us online today for a free consultation.