Fatal crashes on I-80 near Kimball Junction claim two lives, leading to traffic delays and safety alerts

Photo: Unsplash // Max Fleischmann

SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah — Two people were killed in separate crashes Friday night on Interstate 80 near Kimball Junction, both occurring in or near an active construction zone. The incidents caused significant travel delays Saturday as Utah Highway Patrol (UHP) continued investigating.

The first fatal crash occurred around 5:30 p.m. Friday when a motorcyclist was unable to slow down in time for traffic and rear-ended an SUV, ricocheting into a second vehicle. The rider was transported to a hospital but later died from their injuries, according to UHP.

Just before midnight, at approximately 11:59 p.m., a second fatal crash happened near mile marker 145. Authorities say 28-year-old Joel Sotelo Cabrera of West Jordan exited his vehicle and attempted to cross the interstate toward a nearby construction site when he was struck by a pickup truck. Life-saving efforts were performed at the scene, and he was airlifted to the University of Utah Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. UHP suspects Cabrera may have been impaired while driving prior to the incident.

Both crashes occurred near an overnight repaving project led by the Utah Department of Transportation, which has been taking place on I-80 west of Kimball Junction to east of U.S. 40 during nighttime hours. The construction delays contributed to heavy backups for eastbound travelers on Saturday.

UHP continues to investigate both incidents. Meanwhile, the Utah Department of Public Safety is urging drivers — especially motorcyclists — to slow down and be extra cautious. July was recently reported as the deadliest month on record for motorcycle fatalities in Utah.