HUNTSVILLE, Weber County — Two people were killed and five others hospitalized Saturday when a truck carrying seven passengers drove off the road and down a steep mountainside.
The crash occurred near 7000 N. Middle Fork Drive in Sunridge Estates in unincorporated Weber County, about 17 miles outside of Huntsville. The truck rolled "numerous times" and all the passengers were ejected, according to Weber Fire District officials.
After the crash, a teenager walked about 2 miles to a cabin for help, and the residents of the cabin needed to drive to cellphone range to call for help, said Weber County Sheriff's Lt. Cortney Ryan.
Police were notified of the crash at 4:41 a.m. and arrived to discover the truck about 160 feet off the roadway in a ravine, Ryan said.
Two people, both adult men, were pronounced dead at the scene. Two others were taken to a hospital by medical helicopter and three others were transported by ambulance, he said.
An adult woman was released from the hospital later Saturday. Another adult woman remained hospitalized in serious condition Saturday evening. Ryan said he did not know the conditions of the other hospitalized victims.
"It's a dark area. That could have had a role in the accident," the lieutenant said. "There were a lot of empty alcohol containers, new alcohol containers that were found around the vehicle. So alcohol may be a factor in the crash as well."
The names of the victims were not released Saturday pending notification of family members. The victims range in age from 16 to 50.
"Our hearts go out to everyone involved, the passengers, their families and friends and to our first responders. These incidents are never easy on anyone," the fire district post said.