Deadly Utah Intersection: State Street in Sandy

Two tragic car accidents have occurred on State Street in Sandy in the first half of 2023. Both accidents occurred in the area around 8400 South and 8600 South.

School Bus Hits, Kills High School Student

In January of 2023, KSL reported on an auto-pedestrian accident that occurred around 1:00 pm on a Friday afternoon. A school bus was traveling on State Street when it struck and killed a pedestrian, 15-year-old Jennifer Flores Diaz. Jennifer was a student at Jordan High School.

The bus driver and passengers did not suffer serious injuries.

As of the most recent reports on the incident, the cause of the crash was unknown.

Motorcyclist Killed in Crash with Pickup Truck

Four months later, a motorcyclist was traveling northbound on State Street. A pickup truck traveling southbound attempted to make a left turn and the two vehicles collided. The motorcyclist suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

KSL reported on the accident but did not identify the motorcyclist. Speed is believed to have played a role in this fatal crash.

This is not the first fatal accident involving a motorcyclist on this dangerous road. In October 2022, an SUV making an eastbound turn pulled in front of a motorcycle traveling north on State Street near 8800 South. The motorcyclist hit the SUV. The biker, identified as Alex Jayregui, was killed.

Other Dangerous Intersections in Utah

Intersections that see high numbers of accidents each year include:

900 East and 2100 South in Salt Lake City
3300 South and State Street in South Salt Lake
Redwood Road and 4100 South on the border of Taylorsville and West Valley City
State Street and 4500 South in Murray
400 North and Main Street in Logan
1000 East and St. George Boulevard, near Interstate 15 in St. George
Washington Boulevard and 20th Street in Ogden

Staying Safe on Utah Roads

You can do everything right and still be involved in a crash. However, you can help keep even the most dangerous intersections in Utah safe by respecting the rules of the road and the motorists around you.

According to the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), the four most common causes of motor vehicle crashes in Utah include following too closely, failure to yield the right-of-way, driving too fast for conditions, and making unsafe lane changes.

Help improve the safety of our roadways by committing to the following.

Look twice–save a life

One of the most common causes of motorcycle and bicycle accidents is motorists failing to see the bikers around them. Before changing lanes or making turns, look twice. This could mean the difference between life and death for you, your passengers, and the biker.

Slow down

Speed is one of the top contributing factors in fatal accidents. Not only does breaking the speed limit decrease your reaction time, it increases the risk of serious injuries and death in the event of a crash.

Keep in mind that in a head-on collision, the speeds of both vehicles contribute to the force of the accident. By keeping to the

speed limit, you can help diminish the severity of an accident, should one occur.

Graphic of car pulling up to a crosswalk with a pedestrian

Yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks

Pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks have the right-of-way in Utah. Do not attempt to “beat” a pedestrian through the crosswalk.

Pedestrians should yield to motor vehicles when indicated by traffic lights or at any non-crosswalk location.

Give cyclists and motorcyclists plenty of room

Though bicyclists should ride near the rightmost side of the road, both motorcyclists and bicyclists are entitled to the full use of a lane. When passing, give bikers at least three feet of space.

When parking on the side of the road, check your mirrors before opening your door. A biker may be traveling down the road and could hit your door if you open it right in front of them.

How a Utah Personal Injury Attorney Can Help

Whether you’ve been injured in Draper, Provo, or elsewhere in Utah, an attorney with The Advocates can help. We have been representing accident victims in the state for more than 30 years, so we understand what you’re going through.

In addition to being skilled negotiators and fierce litigators, our personal injury lawyers are caring community members. We will go above and beyond to make sure your needs are met after your accident–whether you need help accessing medical care, aid in getting property damage repaired, or other forms of assistance, we are here for you.

For your convenience, we have offices all throughout Utah, including in downtown Salt Lake City, Murray, American Fork, Logan, and St. George. We are available 24/7, and if you can’t make it into one of our offices, we’ll come to you.