At least seven individuals were reported dead on the recent car crash in an Interstate in Utah, following a pileup of vehicles due to a sandstorm. Initially, NBC News reported that the crash claimed the lives of at least six people. However, ABC 4 reported that troopers who responded in the area confirmed the seventh individual died after the crash happened.

The U.S. Sun reported that several people were taken to the hospital in critical condition on Sunday. ABC 4 noted that at least three were reported to be in critical condition.

The Utah Highway Patrol reported that the names of the victims will not be released until 24 hours after the relatives of the deceased were notified. The authorities did not further out details regarding the hospitals where the victims were sent.

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Utah Sandstorm Triggers Car Crash

Utah Highway Patrol confirmed that the incident happened on Interstate 15 in Millard County just before 5 p.m. on Sunday. The said area is located two hours south of Salt Lake City and stands between Filmore and Kanosh.

At least 20 vehicles composed of trucks and cars were involved in the crash after high winds blew up sand and dust that affected the visibility on the highway, The U.S. Sun highlighted, citing a report.

Troopers from Richfield and Beaver were summoned by the Utah Highway Patrol to assist in the accident site. Furthermore, multiple ground and air ambulances also responded to the scene to transport the victims to hospitals.

Apart from the dead and injured victims, the pileup of vehicles caused by the Utah sandstorm also prompted road closures in the area.

Authorities confirmed that the said traffic was diverted through Meadow and Kanosh. ABC 4 noted that the diversion took place as of 7:45 p.m.

The northbound traffic of the area was reported to be partially open. Meanwhile, the southbound traffic in the area was shut down. The southbound traffic through the area would continue to be closed for several hours while Utah Highway Patrol conducts their investigation.

Major Beau Mason from the Utah Highway Patrol said that travelers who would traverse southbound should exit at Scipio and take Highway 50 toward Richfield. Mason also urged those traveling northbound to take Interstate 70.

Causes of Sandstorm

Sandstorms occur when the winds gain strength to the point that they can carry grains of sand on the ground and blow them through the air.

Although this phenomenon usually happens in places like the desert, a similar storm can occur in areas where the top layer of soil comprises dirt and rock. Wonderpoolis noted that sandstorms can occur quickly without warnings because winds with the speed of 25 miles per hour can cause the said storm, contending that hurricane-force winds are not the only ones capable of getting the sand and particles moving through the air.

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Written By: Joshua Summers

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