Semitruck crashes into Utah restaurant, closes highway
Published atWELLINGTON, Utah — A semitruck crashed into a restaurant early Wednesday morning, closing U.S. 6 and Main Street through Wellington, officials told KSL.com.
The eastbound Doug Andrus Distributing truck was traveling too fast for weather conditions and drove off the road, colliding with Los Jilbertos Mexican Fast Food at 15 W. Main St. about 6:30 a.m., the Utah Highway Patrol said in a statement. The restaurant was open for business at the time of the accident, but the owners were the only ones inside.
When troopers arrived, one of the owners was standing outside the collapsed building and said his wife was trapped inside. When troopers called out to her, she said she was uninjured, and they quickly extricated her from the building.
The owners were transported to Castleview Hospital with serious injuries but “are doing OK … considering,” officials said in a tweet. The driver of the truck suffered minor injuries.
Los Jilbertos and the truck are “a total loss,” troopers said.
Classes at Wellington Elementary have been canceled since crews will need to shut off the power, Wellington police said in a Facebook post. All students will be bused home unless their parents pick them up.
Utility crews are still working to sort out power, gas and water issues that resulted from the crash.
Due to the road closures, eastbound traffic should follow 400 West to Railroad Avenue, then on to 100 East and south to Ridge Road, before driving east to U.S. 6. Westbound traffic should take Ridge Road to state Route 10, during the detours, police said.
Authorities are asking residents to avoid the area. The restaurant involved is “obviously closed,” they said.
A GoFundMe was created for the owners of Los Jilbertos that, as of Wednesday morning, has raised almost $500 of its $5,000 goal.
“This restaurant was the sole income for this family, and they will need our help during this tragic loss!” the GoFundMe reads.
Other details, including how fast the semitruck was traveling, were not immediately available.
Our attorneys tell us we need to put this disclaimer in stories involving fundraisers: EastIdahoNews.com does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries.