This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A 16-year-old who fell out of the back of a truck in Salt Lake County was transported in critical condition by medical helicopter to the hospital Wednesday afternoon.
West Jordan Police Officer J.C. Holt said the teen passenger was in the truck with the 18-year-old driver near 9044 S. Granada Hills Drive (4730 West) when the 16-year-old decided to get into the back of the truck around 3 p.m.
Holt said the teen climbed out of the truck from the passenger-side window and moved to the bed of the truck. When the driver looked back to see what was happening, the driver swerved and then over-corrected, Holt said. The teen in the back lost his balance and fell out.
Holt does not know how fast the teens were going, but said they were in a residential neighborhood. The two are students from Copper Hills High School who were possibly on their way home from school, Holt said.
"It is an isolated incident that probably could have been avoided ... unfortunately," Holt said.
The teen was semiconscious when he was transported in critical condition with head injuries.
There were no signs of alcohol or drugs being a contributing factor to the accident. The investigation is ongoing.
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