INSTAGRAM

‘I closed my eyes and prayed’: Tooele crash victims describe semi barreling toward them

Nov 3, 2023, 11:10 PM | Updated: Nov 6, 2023, 4:48 pm

TOOELE — Drivers in Tooele are feeling lucky and thankful to be alive after an out-of-control semi-truck barreled through multiple intersections, crashing into at least 33 cars on Friday.

Many of those drivers watched the semi sail straight toward them, with no choice but to brace for impact.

Tony Garner was sitting at the light on Main Street at 1000 North, and could see the semi coming right at him. He didn’t know if he’d survive.

“I closed my eyes and said my prayers. I didn’t think I was going to see my kids, my family,” he said, getting choked up as he spoke.

According to Tooele police, the semi was hauling two trailers full of gravel. The truck first crashed into cars at the intersection of Main and Vine Streets, then continued full steam ahead north, hitting more vehicles at 400 North, before the third crash at 1000 North.

The cause of the semi driver losing control is still unclear, but the working theory is that it was the result of some kind of mechanical or brake failure, according to Colbey Bentley of Tooele PD.

By Saturday afternoon, Bentley said

Tooele police said one person was in critical condition after being airlifted to Salt Lake City, and between all the crashes, 11 people total were hospitalized. The semi-driver was not injured, police said.

Janet Robison was a few cars behind Garner when the semi came ripping through 1000 North.

“It had gone airborne as what I saw. I just saw this big thing coming,” she said.

Robison watched as a pickup truck flipped up into the air, as the semi’s rampage left behind a path of destruction. Like Garner, she also had no choice but to brace.

“The gal in front of me had been hit a couple of times, and I see her spinning towards my car,” Robison said.

Luckily, Robison wasn’t injured. She then watched the semi veer off of Main Street, and into a car dealership.

The semi pummeled through lines of vehicles across the parking lot, ultimately hitting the dealership building and bursting into flames. The building caught on fire.

Garner heard the explosion from the fire, right after he had been hit. He turned around and could see big plumes of black smoke.

Realizing he was okay, Garner got out of his car and ran to other smashed vehicles to help others who were trapped. There was a man who was trapped in a truck that had flipped over.

“He was covered in blood, but he was talking, and he was able to crawl out by himself after we got the windshield busted out for him,” Garner said.

Two Tooele police lieutenants also happened to be driving on Main Street and saw the crash. They were quick to jump out and begin triage.

“There was a police officer there, like an angel appeared,” Garner said. “So I’m like, ‘Thank you. Thank God.'”

In those frantic moments, Garner described how people pulled together to take quick action in the aftermath.

“It’s just chaos. Chaos everywhere,” he said. “It was insane.”

KSL 5 TV Live

Instagram

FILE - Sarah Baus, left, of Charleston, S.C., and Tiffany Cianci, who says she is a "long-form educ...

Mark Sherman, Associated Press

Supreme Court upholds law banning TikTok if it’s not sold by its Chinese parent company

The Supreme Court has upheld the federal law banning TikTok beginning Sunday unless it’s sold by its China-based parent company, holding the risk to national security posed by its ties to China overcomes concerns about limiting speech by the app or its 170 million users in the U.S. A sale does not appear imminent.

7 days ago

President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Republican governors at Mar-a-Lago, Thurs...

Associated Press

Judge sentences Donald Trump in hush money case but declines to impose any punishment

President-elect Donald Trump was formally sentenced Friday in his hush money case, but the judge declined to impose any punishment.

14 days ago

In a dash camera video, a car traveling through American Fork Canyon almost collides with another h...

Debbie Worthen

Caught on dashcam: Driver nearly causes deadly crash in American Fork Canyon, then zooms away

After a driver nearly caused a head-on collision on a canyon road, the car it left crashed in the snow sustained damage. The owners are calling on that person to come forward.

17 days ago

Security footage of South Jordan police officers confronting the armed suspect in a car before shot...

Brian Carlson

Fatal police shootout in South Jordan caught on camera

A home security camera captured an intense shootout Friday night between South Jordan police and a suspected car thief.

20 days ago

A semitruck driver was arrested on suspected DUI on Saturday, Dec. 22, 2024. (KSL TV)...

Carlysle Price

Police: Semitruck driver swerving on I-80 arrested on suspected DUI

A semitruck driver is facing charges for driving under the influence near Utah's West Desert Saturday.

1 month ago

A West Valley City mother pictured and her four children ahead of a tragic murder-suicide that took...

Mary Culbertson, Garna Mejia and Shara Park, KSL TV

‘Our hearts ache’: Extended family of WVC murder-suicide victims speak out after tragedy

The extended family connected to the victims of a murder-suicide released a statement in the wake of the "senseless" tragedy.

1 month ago

Sponsored Articles

holiday gift basket with blue tissue paper and gingerbread cookies...

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe

Holiday hacks for a stress-free season

Get more out of your time with family and loved ones over the holidays by following these tips for a stress-free season.

2 computer techs in a computer shop holding up a computer server with the "hang loose" sign...

PC Laptops

A comprehensive guide to choosing the right computer

With these tips, choosing the right computer that fits your needs and your budget will be easier than ever.

crowds of people in a German style Christmas market...

This Is The Place Heritage Park

Celebrate Christkindlmarket at This Is The Place Heritage Park!

The Christkindlmarket is an annual holiday celebration influenced by German traditions and generous giving.

Image of pretty woman walking in snowy mountains. Portrait of female wearing warm winter earmuff, r...

Lighting Design

Brighten your mood this winter with these lighting tricks

Read our lighting tips on how to brighten your mood in the winter if you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder.

A kitchen with a washer and dryer and a refrigerator...

Appliance Man

Appliance Man: a trusted name in Utah’s home appliance industry

Despite many recent closures of local appliance stores, Appliance Man remains Utah's trusted home appliance business and is here to stay.

abstract vector digital social network technology background...

Les Olson

Protecting yourself against social engineering attacks

Learn more about the common types of social engineering to protect your online or offline assets from an attack.

‘I closed my eyes and prayed’: Tooele crash victims describe semi barreling toward them