One dead after being hit by car while changing tire on I-15 in American Fork

AMERICAN FORK — A man was killed after he was struck by a vehicle while changing a tire on Interstate 15 in Utah County Thursday morning.

Sgt. Andrew Battenfield with the Utah Highway Patrol said the crash happened just before the American Fork Main Street exit,

“Pulled over to the right-hand shoulder, inside the fog line. That tire was flat on the driver’s side rear, and sometime when he was beginning to change that tire, he was struck by another motorist,” Battenfield said.

Troopers believe the man, who was in his early 30s, was wearing a safety vest and had his hazard lights on.

“That still didn’t keep him safe in the darkness of the morning hours,” Battenfield said.

The driver who hit the individual remained on scene and was cooperating with troopers. A woman who was in the passenger seat of the car that was hit was taken to an area hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

Even with a “move over law” in place, troopers said to try and get off the road completely.

“The highway patrol has preached for years that if you feel unsafe, or if an exit is close, just to go ahead and run that flat tire on the rim. Get off at the next exit,” Battenfield said.

The UHP says drivers should move to the next lane while passing stopped, emergency, tow or maintenance vehicles. If you can’t safely change lanes, move as far right or left in your lane as possible and slow down.

Northbound I-15 was partially closed while state troopers conducted their investigation, with traffic backing up past 1600 North in Orem Thursday morning.

Deadly hit on I-15 Northbound in American Fork.

We’re told a man and woman were inside the car that’s pulled off to the right shoulder. When the man hopped out to change the tire, he was struck by another vehicle and died.

The woman was taken to the hospital. @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/PTi8799gE8

— Karah Brackin (@kbontv) April 4, 2024