A horrific accident involving a semi-truck and 27 other vehicles occurred in Tooele, Utah, on November 3, 2023. The crash caused a massive fire that engulfed the Tooele Auto Mall and injured several people. In this article, we will provide a detailed account of the incident and its aftermath, and answer some of the frequently asked questions about it.
What happened in the crash?
According to the Tooele City Police Department, the crash happened around 1:30 p.m. on Friday, November 3, 2023, at the intersection of 1000 North and Main Street/SR 36 in Tooele. A semi-truck carrying a load of hay ran a red light and collided with several vehicles that were waiting at the traffic signal. The impact caused the semi-truck to catch fire and spread to the nearby Tooele Auto Mall, where it ignited several cars and trucks that were parked for sale.
The fire quickly grew into a huge blaze that sent black smoke into the air and could be seen from miles away. Firefighters from the Tooele City Fire Department and other neighboring agencies responded to the scene and battled the flames for hours. They managed to contain the fire by 4 p.m., but not before it destroyed the semi-truck, the hay, and 27 vehicles at the auto mall.
How many people were injured in the crash?
The crash resulted in several injuries, but fortunately, no fatalities. The driver of the semi-truck, a 42-year-old man from Idaho, was airlifted to a hospital in Salt Lake City with serious burns and internal injuries. He was reported to be in critical but stable condition. Four other people who were in the vehicles that were hit by the semi-truck were also taken to local hospitals with minor to moderate injuries. They were expected to recover fully. No one was inside the auto mall at the time of the fire, and no firefighters were injured while fighting the blaze.
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What caused the crash?
The exact cause of the crash is still under investigation, but preliminary reports suggest that the semi-truck driver may have suffered a medical episode that impaired his ability to stop at the red light. Police said that there was no evidence of alcohol or drugs involved, and that the driver had a valid commercial driver’s license. They also said that the semi-truck was properly maintained and inspected, and that the load of hay was within the legal weight limit.
However, some witnesses and experts have raised questions about the safety of the intersection where the crash occurred, and whether it could have been prevented with better traffic control measures. They pointed out that the intersection is notorious for being congested and dangerous, and that there have been several other crashes and near-misses there in the past. They suggested that installing a roundabout, a traffic camera, or a longer yellow light could help reduce the risk of collisions and improve the traffic flow.
FAQ
- Q: When and where did the crash happen?
- A: The crash happened on November 3, 2023, at the intersection of 1000 North and Main Street/SR 36 in Tooele, Utah.
- Q: How many vehicles were involved in the crash?
- A: The crash involved a semi-truck and 27 other vehicles, including cars and trucks that were parked at the Tooele Auto Mall.
- Q: How many people were injured in the crash?
- A: The crash resulted in several injuries, but no fatalities. The driver of the semi-truck was airlifted to a hospital with serious burns and internal injuries. Four other people who were in the vehicles that were hit by the semi-truck were taken to local hospitals with minor to moderate injuries.
- Q: What caused the crash?
- A: The exact cause of the crash is still under investigation, but preliminary reports suggest that the semi-truck driver may have suffered a medical episode that impaired his ability to stop at the red light. Police said that there was no evidence of alcohol or drugs involved, and that the semi-truck was properly maintained and inspected, and that the load of hay was within the legal weight limit.
- Q: What was the impact of the crash on the Tooele Auto Mall?
- A: The crash caused a massive fire that engulfed the Tooele Auto Mall and destroyed 27 vehicles that were parked for sale. The fire also damaged the building and the inventory of the auto mall. The owner of the auto mall said that the total loss was estimated to be around $2 million.
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