AMERICAN FORK — A Utah State Prison officer was critically injured and several inmates seriously injured Thursday morning when a Utah Department of Corrections van rolled on I-15.
The van, carrying two officers and nine inmates, was traveling south between the two American Fork exits just after 9 a.m. when it rolled into the median. No other vehicles were involved.
As of press time, two medical helicopters were on the scene and American Fork Hospital reported that it was expecting five patients. Patients were also expected to be transported to Timpanogos Hospital in Orem. The critically injured officer, who had been riding in the front passenger seat, was flown to University Hospital in Salt Lake City. Four inmates were ejected from the rolling van. Injuries to the inmates ranged from serious to minor. The officer driving the van suffered minor injuries.
Prison spokesman Jack Ford said the van was carrying the inmates from the prison at Point of the Mountain to the Beaver County Jail. All were being held on third-degree felonies. Officials believe all inmates had been accounted for at the accident scene.
The interstate was closed in both directions as officers from the UHP, Utah County Sheriff's Department and American Fork assisted victims and investigated the accident. A UHP spokesman said southbound I-15 would likely remain closed until about 1 p.m. Northbound lanes were scheduled to open about 11 a.m. Traffic on State Street in American Fork, Lehi and Pleasant Grove was congested by motorists avoiding the accident scene.
E-MAIL: jimr@desnews.com