3 killed in Logan Canyon car crash

LOGAN — Three people were killed in a car crash in Logan Canyon on Wednesday afternoon.

At 3:20 p.m., a southbound Kia Rio crossed over into the northbound lanes on U.S. 89, hitting a Ford Excursion, the Utah Highway Patrol said. The 21-year-old woman driving the Rio and the 24-year-old man in her front passenger seat were declared dead at the scene.

There were three other passengers in the Rio, including a boy between the ages of 18 months and 2 years who was transported to Logan Regional Hospital with serious injuries that did not, however, appear life-threatening, troopers said.

A woman in the back seat of the Rio was driven to Logan and died either on the way to the hospital or upon arrival, said Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Cade Brenchley.

A man in the back seat of the Rio was flown to Ogden for treatment.

The Ford driver was the only occupant of the vehicle and does not appear to have any serious injuries.

Witnesses behind the Rio told Brenchley the car was traveling at 45-50 mph at most in a 55 mph zone. Roads were dry and the sun was out. The Excursion was also most likely traveling at a reasonable speed, based on witness accounts.

Witnesses also said both cars were hugging the center line prior to the crash. Police are investigating distracted driving as a possible factor, Brenchley said.

“This is a tough one, a lot of families affected in this one, a lot of lives changed,” Brenchley said. “People just get in a big hurry. … The biggest thing I could say in this situation is if you’re the driver, do everything you can to eliminate all your distractions and pay attention to the road.”

U.S. 89 was closed for around five hours near the crash location about 5 miles south of Bear Lake, Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Cameron Roden said. The highway reopened around 8:30 p.m.