Collision shuts down I-215 westbound; man pinned inside pickup

Two people were hospitalized in critical condition Saturday night after their pickup truck collided with a passenger car and rolled on Interstate 215, the utah Highway Patrol said.

The collision closed the highway's westbound lanes. Traffic was still being detoured as of 11:30 p.m. The lanes were expected to open in the early hours of Sunday.

Witnesses told investigators the westbound pickup, which was pulling a utility trailer, pulled in front of a Honda passenger car, causing its driver to swerve and then hit the truck, UHP Lt. Steve Windward said. The collision caused the truck to roll.

None of the three people in the pickup were wearing seat belts, Winward said.

A female passenger in her 20s was ejected from the truck and suffered critical injuries. A male passenger in his 50s was pinned inside the pickup cab. Firefighters had to extract him.

The male driver of the truck, who is in his 30s, suffered minor injuries, but was also taken to the hospital, UHP said.

The driver of the Honda suffered minor injures and was treated and released at the scene.

UHP did not immediately release the names of those involved in the accident.

Police officers from multiple jurisdictions were assisting UHP with diverting traffic.

Investigators believe alcohol may have been in a factor in the accident, which remained under investigation Saturday night, Winward said.

jdobner@sltrib.com