LOCAL NEWS

Arrest made in Logan Canyon crash that killed 3, injured 2

Mar 30, 2023, 11:44 AM | Updated: Apr 26, 2023, 2:26 pm

CACHE COUNTY, Utah — A 29-year-old Idaho man has been arrested in connection to Wednesday’s crash on U.S. Highway 89 that left three people dead and injured two others, including a baby.

According to a probable cause statement, Kylan Romrell, of Montpelier, Idaho, was booked into jail on felony charges of driving under the influence and negligently operating a vehicle resulting in death. Romrell was previously convicted of a felony DUI charge and has been arrested for DUI multiple times within the last 10 years, according to court documents.

State troopers responded to the crash, which happened on U.S. 89 at milepost 488, approximately 5 miles south of Bear Lake.

Margaret Cosentino was driving her semi through there as it happened, and said she could see the driver of the other car a Ford Excursion, trying to get the people in the Kia out.

“Went up there…gave them a knife to cut the seatbelt for the car for the mother whose child was in the backseat,” Consentino said.

But Cosentino says there was little they could do.

“It was horrific,” Consentino said.

State Troopers say the driver of the Kia was 21 year-old Jordan Erickson. The front seat passenger was her fiance, 24-year-old Dakota Mejia. Both died in the crash.

In the back seat was Jordan’s sister, 17-year-old Jerika Erickson, who also died. The passenger next to her was her boyfriend, who was flown to an area hospital.

Jordan Erickson’s 2 year-old son was also in the car, and according to family friends is at home with his grandmother.

A GoFundMe for the victims can be found here. *

Investigators said Romrell was driving a Ford Excursion, possibly “near or on the center line of the roadway.” Sgt. Cameron Roden with the Utah Highway Patrol said the preliminary investigation shows a southbound Kia Rio appeared to have drifted over into the northbound lanes, where the vehicles collided.

Three dead, two injured in crash that closed US Hwy 89

“However, this crash is still being looked at and fault has not been determined,” investigators said in a probable cause statement. Troopers noted the Kia “was significantly more damaged than the Excursion” but both suffered severe damage.

“The people who saw it said both cars veered, not just one,” Consentino said.

Investigators are saying that’s possible, but they’re still investigating. They do say the driver of the Ford Excursion, Kylan Romrell, had many beer cans unopened and one at least that was open and smashed and multiple bottles which were open.

In the probable cause statement, troopers said they contacted Romrell at the scene of the crash and noted he “had extremely bloodshot eyes, seemed to be staggering, had slurred speech, and the odor of alcohol was emanating from his breath.”

Romrell allegedly told troopers he was driving up the canyon when he looked up and his airbag went off. Troopers said they asked him if he had consumed alcohol, and Romrell said he had not.

According to court documents, troopers found multiple open containers of alcoholic beverages in the Ford and a rifle with a spent cartridge.

Cosentino says she could see the beer cans too.

“Yeah, everybody could. When they hit, you know, they went everywhere – they exploded in there…made a mess,” Consentino said.

Romrell was taken to the Rich County Sheriff’s Office substation in Garden City, where troopers said he was “unsteady, wobbly, and lethargic.” Troopers administered field sobriety tests and allegedly noted several signs of Romrell being under the influence.

According to court documents, a breath test was conducted and Romrell’s blood-alcohol level was .216 — more than four times the legal limit in Utah.

Romrell was then booked into the Cache County Jail on three second-degree felony counts of negligently operating a vehicle resulting in death, a third-degree felony count of negligently operating a vehicle resulting in serious injury, third-degree felony counts of DUI with a prior felony DUI and possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person, and a misdemeanor count of having an open container/drinking alcohol in a vehicle.

Investigators asked that Romrell be held without bail.


**KSL TV does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.

KSL 5 TV Live

Local News

Police confirmed Monday they were investigating whether the same driver was responsible for multipl...

Andrew Adams

Police investigate whether same driver is responsible for multiple hit-and-runs

Police confirmed Monday they were investigating whether the same driver was responsible for multiple hit-and-run collisions.

1 hour ago

two men sit at a table and look at a phone...

Matt Gephardt

Imposters stealing Utah restaurant names to deceive drivers and customers on food delivery apps

When a popular Provo pizzeria couldn’t get a food delivery app to remove an impostor account, the owners decided to Get Gephardt to investigate.

2 hours ago

The spring homebuying season is here, and realtor Alicia Holdaway says Utah’s housing market is g...

Daniel Woodruff

What’s changing in Utah’s housing market after real estate lawsuit settlement

The spring homebuying season is here, and realtor Alicia Holdaway says Utah’s housing market is getting busy.

3 hours ago

One of Utah County's three commissioners has been battling a tumor causing him to miss a series of ...

Lindsay Aerts

Utah County Commission chair calls for resignation of Tom Sakievich over ability to work

One of Utah County's three commissioners has been battling a tumor causing him to miss a series of recent commission meetings and other county work.

3 hours ago

A Weber County family is mourning the loss of a 28-year-old man killed in a wrong way crash early S...

Garna Mejia

Family grieves the loss of a man killed in Sunday’s wrong-way crash

A Weber County family is mourning the loss of a 28-year-old man killed in a wrong-way crash early Sunday morning.

5 hours ago

The motorcycle accident that happened near 350 South 200 East....

Michael Houck

Motorcyclist crash closes road in Salt Lake City

Police say a critical injury crash involving a motorcyclist has closed a road in downtown Salt Lake City.

5 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Users display warnings about the use of artificial intelligence (AI), access to malicious software ...

Les Olson

How to Stay Safe from Cybersecurity Threats

Read our tips for reading for how to respond to rising cybersecurity threats in 2023 and beyond to keep yourself and your company safe.

Arrest made in Logan Canyon crash that killed 3, injured 2