By Charlie G. Patreus
Last Sunday night, the Utah County Sheriff’s Office got an urgent call. A white jeep had accidentally driven off the road in Payson Canyon and into the river – a 20 foot drop. The car contained a 16-year-old girl and her two dogs. She was headed northbound out of the canyon.
In this crash, no signs of impairment are suspected or reported. The crash was likely due to speeding, but not by a drastic or reckless amount. The road exhibits tight curves, which could have contributed to the crash.
UCSO public information officer Sgt. Spencer Cannon said the car went forward 75 to 100 feet and landed upside down in the water. The young driver, Alison Kennedy, made it out safely with only minor scratches. Her dogs escaped as well.
“It looked initially like it could be really bad, but it turned out not to be as serious of a crash as it looked like it could have been,” Cannon said. He explained that the people behind Kennedy stopped to help and called 911. First responders arrived within ten minutes.
There is no railing on the side of the road, but crashes in that area are much less frequent than other, more narrow parts of Payson Canyon. However, many areas of the canyon don’t have a guard rail, and the roads are so narrow they don’t give enough room for both lanes of traffic.
The Utah Department of Public safety recommends driving below the posted speed limit in hazardous weather, at night, and when there is rough or windy terrain.
Provo Tribune: Local News for the Provo/Orem Area 