The Utah Highway Patrol is stressing the importance of seat belts after an accident that killed one person on I-80 Wednesday morning. We also stress the importance of not driving if you are sleepy - you will either kill yourself or cause the death of somebody else; just take a break or let someone else drive.
Troopers said friends and family were driving back to Salt Lake City from Wendover when the tired driver fell asleep and veered off the road on I-80 westbound at the Tooele County and Salt Lake County line just before 7 a.m.
The passenger in his 30s who died was lying down in the backseat, not wearing his seat belt, when the car went off the road and flipped over a barrier.
Officials said a second car with family members was driving back with them but no one was injured in that vehicle.
The freeway was at a standstill until after 8 a.m. when crews were able to clear the scene.
The names of those involved have not been confirmed at this time.
The friends were driving home to SLC from Wendover before 7 when accident happened. Family members were in another car following them. #GDU— Tamara Vaifanua (@TamaraVaifanua) June 17, 2015