An 18-year-old woman was seriously injured after a piece of construction debris flew over a roadside barrier, struck a Toyota Corolla and passed through the windshield before lodging in her chest on a Utah highway, authorities said.
The crash happened on State Route 189 in Provo Canyon as the Corolla approached milepost 18 on Monday, the Utah Department of Public Safety said. The woman was riding in the front passenger seat when a "concrete form stake" struck the vehicle�s hood and penetrated the windshield, officials said. A life flight helicopter was dispatched to the scene, but the victim was ultimately transported by ground to a hospital in the Provo area, where she remained in serious condition that night, Utah Highway Patrol spokesman Lt. Cameron Roden told local media.
It is unclear whether the stake fell from a vehicle immediately in front of the Corolla or if it was older road debris that was struck and launched into traffic, the Department of Public Safety said. Investigators are appealing for help from the public, asking anyone who was traveling in the area and who might have dash camera footage or other information to contact the non-emergency Summit County dispatch line. "That will help us and our investigators learn and investigate this crime more fully for the young lady that was involved," Roden said.
Officials emphasized the risks posed by unsecured loads and urged drivers and commercial haulers to fasten large items before traveling. Wyoming Highway Patrol public information officer Aaron Brown, whose agency coordinates with Utah on highway safety along routes that cross state lines, said ports of entry staff can assist drivers to ensure loads are secure. "It's not an inspection, but they can help make sure your loads are good to go," Brown said. He also reminded motorists to give extra space to construction crews and to obey posted speed limits, noting that the force of debris kicked up at higher speeds can be far greater.
Utah highway crews and troopers frequently warn that objects falling or being kicked into traffic can cause catastrophic injuries or fatal crashes. Authorities did not say whether they had identified a specific vehicle or construction site linked to the stake in this case, and no arrests or charges had been reported as of Monday night.
State investigators are continuing to examine the scene and review any available video or witness accounts to determine the origin of the stake and whether criminal negligence or other violations occurred. The Utah Department of Public Safety and the Utah Highway Patrol did not provide additional medical updates on the 18-year-old beyond describing her condition as serious. Local officials reiterated a shared responsibility among drivers, commercial carriers and construction crews to prevent similar incidents by securing loads and maintaining safe practices on mountain highways and interstate routes.