Salt Lake City, UT – On Sunday morning, just after 11:15 a.m., motorists heading north on Interstate 15 near the 600 South interchange were startled by a vehicle traveling the opposite direction in the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane.
Dash‑cam footage shows the dangerous maneuver
Local driver Jake Troy captured the event on his dashboard camera. The video shows the wrong‑way driver accelerating toward an SUV in the HOV lane before swerving abruptly across multiple lanes. The driver appears to strike a white Dodge Durango, while Troy’s vehicle narrowly avoids a serious crash.
In the aftermath of the close call, Troy can be heard asking a passenger if they are okay, underscoring how quickly the situation could have turned tragic.
Authorities respond
The Utah Highway Patrol confirmed they were not aware of any incident on I‑15 at the time but said they will investigate the footage and the circumstances surrounding the wrong‑way travel. Patrol officials emphasized the importance of reporting any suspicious or dangerous driving behavior to help keep Utah’s highways safe.
Wrong‑way driving is a serious offense that endangers all road users. The Utah Department of Transportation encourages motorists to remain vigilant, especially in high‑traffic corridors like I‑15, and to report hazardous behavior immediately.
Community impact
Residents of the Kearns neighborhood, which lies adjacent to the interchange, expressed concern over the near‑miss. Many rely on I‑15 for daily commutes to work, school, and local businesses. The incident serves as a reminder of the need for continued public‑safety awareness and cooperation with law‑enforcement agencies.
Local officials have not yet announced any changes to traffic enforcement or signage in the area, but the incident may prompt a review of safety measures on the highway corridor.
What drivers can do
- Stay alert and avoid distractions while driving.
- Report any suspicious or dangerous driving to the Utah Highway Patrol at 511‑555‑HELP.
- Observe posted speed limits and lane usage rules, especially in HOV lanes.
As the investigation proceeds, authorities will release any additional findings or recommended safety actions. In the meantime, motorists are urged to exercise caution and look out for one another on Utah’s roadways.
Original reporting: FOX 13 KSTU (Salt Lake County) — read the source article.
