Woman fighting for her life after fiery crash with truck left her trapped

DRAPER — A woman is in critical condition after a car and semitrailer collided, pinning the car as it caught fire.

A red Honda Civic was exiting the northbound freeway about 2:30 p.m. at 11400 South when the car suddenly veered back into the main flow of traffic, according to Utah Highway Patrol Lt. Nick Street.

A semitrailer hauling a load of rocks was traveling in the lane closest to the exit, and when the car attempted to come back into the main flow of traffic, the truck driver saw the vehicle and attempted to move to the shoulder to avoid a crash, Street said. Unfortunately, the car became trapped between the cement barrier and the truck.

The Honda burst into flames, which the driver of the truck and several passersby were able to extinguish, Street said. The driver of the Honda was pinned in the crashed, smoldering car and required extrication from emergency responders to get out.

A medical helicopter was summoned by fire personnel and paramedics at the scene, and the woman was flown to a Wasatch Front hospital after being extricated from the wreckage, Street said.

The northbound lanes of I-15 near 11400 South were shut down for several hours Wednesday afternoon as emergency crews responded and investigators reviewed the scene.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation.