New Harmony, UT (July 30, 2026) – Multiple people were injured on Wednesday, July 29, in a multi-vehicle collision on northbound I-15 near mile marker 43, close to New Harmony, near the Iron and Washington county line. This stretch of I-15, between the New Harmony interchange and Ash Creek Reservoir, is a mountainous, two-lane section of the highway that the Utah Department of Transportation has identified for a future passing-lane expansion.
Drivers passing through the area were reminded to move over for emergency vehicles. No further details about the vehicles involved or the extent of the injuries were immediately available.
The cause of the wreck was not immediately known. We hope for a full recovery for everyone involved.
Why Are Two-Lane Mountain Highways Riskier for Drivers?
Two-lane mountain highways can be some of the most challenging stretches for drivers, especially when a passing lane isn’t available for miles at a time. A slower vehicle, like a loaded semi climbing a grade, can back up traffic behind it, tempting some drivers to pass in risky spots with limited visibility.
Elevation changes and curves add another layer of difficulty to routes like this section of I-15. A driver may not see a slowdown or stopped traffic ahead until they crest a hill or come around a bend, leaving less time to react than on a flat, straight highway.
When emergency vehicles are stopped along a rural interstate, moving over or slowing down gives responders room to work safely near live traffic. Many states require drivers to change lanes when possible, or slow down significantly, when passing any vehicle stopped on the shoulder with its lights activated, whether it’s a patrol car, tow truck, or ambulance.
