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LAKE POINT, Tooele County — A semitruck driver from Colorado was injured Wednesday morning after crashing into a motel sign, officials said.
The man was hauling frozen baked goods around 10:50 a.m. when his truck drifted to the right as he was attempting to turn north on State Road 36 after fueling up at a Flying J, according to Chad McCoy with the Utah Highway Patrol.
A deputy filling up on gas and a North Tooele firefighter who happened to be in the area were able to help the driver out of the cab shortly before it was engulfed in flames, McCoy said.
Firefighters were called to the scene, near the intersection of state Route 36 and Saddleback Boulevard in unincorporated Lake Point. Crews quickly doused the truck fire.
The trailer wasn't compromised in the crash, McCoy said.
The driver sustained minor injuries from the crash and was flown in a helicopter to the University of Utah Hospital.
The incident is under investigation, but the cause appears to be more of a medical issue than impairment. The driver said he either blacked out or passed out, McCoy said.
McCoy said the situation was "just really fortunate; could have been a lot worse."
Contributing: Dave Cawley, Ben Lockhart
