BLANDING — Three people were killed in a rollover crash near Blanding on Wednesday.
It was the second triple-fatal accident in southern Utah in less than 24 hours.
Just before 11 p.m., a Toyota Tacoma was on state Route 276 when the driver went off the shoulder of the road and then overcorrected, causing the truck to roll multiple times.
“Speed is believed to be a contributing factor for this crash. Another contributing factor is believed to be that the driver may have swerved to avoid a collision with a cow. This area is open range, and cattle were standing near the roadway upon arrival of emergency vehicles,” according to a statement from the Utah Highway Patrol.
Wayne Palmer, 32, Kyle Bailey, 30, and Parker Palmer, 30, all of Blanding, were pronounced dead at the scene.
The accident came about 8 1⁄2 hours after a three-vehicle crash near St. George resulted in the deaths of three people.
The deceased victims in that incident were identified Timothy Roberts, 24, of Dammeron Valley, Washington County, Christine Ilkenhans, 72, and Emmanuel Ilkenhans, age 78, both of Veyo, Washington County.