Driver dies after dump truck falls off Utah viaduct

A 40-year-old man died Tuesday evening after the dump truck he was driving flipped off a viaduct and landed upside down in Provo.

The man was driving a truck with a full load of asphalt north on University Boulevard when he veered left into oncoming traffic near 800 South at about 1:15 p.m., said Provo police Lt. Mathew Siufanua.

Other drivers managed to avoid the truck, which hit the railing of the viaduct — without braking — slid for about 20 feet, then flipped and landed upside down on the road below.

"We're lucky today that nobody was down there," Siufanua said. "It's a very busy road. We're glad nobody else was hurt."

Emergency responders had to resuscitate the driver before taking him to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, Siufanua said. The man was in surgery about 5 p.m. but died later Tuesday evening.

Police did not immediately identify him and are investigating the cause of the crash, including his medical history.

mmcfall@sltrib.com

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