Semi tears through Utah building after brake failure

by: Derick Fox

Posted: Jun 5, 2023 / 08:16 AM MDT

Updated: Jun 5, 2023 / 08:20 AM MDT

GARDEN CITY, Utah (ABC4) – An semi-truck barreled through a Garden City structure after the driver said the truck's brakes quit working late last week.

According to Utah Highway Patrol, the incident happened just after 5 p.m. on Friday, June 2 in Garden City, near Bear Lake. The driver barreled through a light while traveling eastbound at the intersection of SR-30 and SR 89.

The truck reportedly crashed through a parking lot and a fence before tearing through some storage sheds. It went through another parking lot before crashing into the corner of a condo and a 1,000-gallon propane tank and coming to a stop.

The driver of the semi-truck was taken to the hospital by an ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries. Utah Highway Patrol said a passenger in the semi-truck suffered serious injuries and was flown to a local hospital.

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Authorities have not updated the two's condition. No other injuries have been reported as a result of the crash.

The propane tank reportedly suffered leaks after the crash, prompting evacuations of nearby residencies.

Several miles ahead of the intersection are a brake check area and a runaway truck ramp. According to the driver of the truck, the semi-truck's brakes had failed but because of the truck's speed and traffic in the area, the driver was unable to use the runaway ramp.

The intersection has had a history of runaway semi-trucks. In May 2022, a runaway semi-truck rolled over after a brake failure. The driver in that crash had tried to turn left at the light, but rolled onto the passenger side of the truck. There were no injuries.

ABC4 runaway semi-truck rolled over