Woman killed, man critically injured when semi hits them on I-15

A woman was killed and a man critically injured when they were struck by a semitrailer as they attempted to change a flat fire on Interstate 15 in North Salt Lake.

The Utah Highway Patrol said that 27-year-old Mailefihi Tuaone, of West Valley City, was instantly killed when she was hit by the big rig just before noon Sunday near mile post 311 on northbound I-15. Her companion, Monte Keiaho, 25, of Logan, remained in critical condition Monday at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray but was expected to survive.

UHP said the two had pulled over in a Toyota Corolla after the left rear tire went flat. The vehicle was parked on the right shoulder, fully in the emergency lane, when the semi struck them.

No citations were issued as the investigation was ongoing, but troopers are investigating whether the semi's Las Vegas-based driver drifted onto the shoulder or if the victims had stepped into the travel lane.

remims@sltrib.com

Twwitter: @remims