SANDY, Salt Lake County, Utah, Oct. 17, 2026 — A five-vehicle crash on northbound I-15 near Sandy left three people trapped on Friday afternoon, October 16, and shut down most of the northbound lanes for a time, according to the Utah Highway Patrol.
The crash happened near the 10300 South exit and slowed traffic through the area. Luis Silva said. Crews had to cut three people from two of the vehicles involved, he said.
One of the three, a 47-year-old man, was taken to a hospital. The conditions of the other two who were extricated were not released.
The right four lanes of northbound I-15 were temporarily closed while troopers investigated. No cause has been released, and the crash remains under investigation.
We hope everyone who was hurt makes a full and speedy recovery.
More on Crashes in Sandy, UT
This multi-vehicle crash happened on I-15 in Sandy, UT. We cover crashes across Salt Lake County as they're reported, and you can browse the latest in our Salt Lake County accident reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does following distance matter so much on freeways like I-15?
Keeping a safe gap gives a driver time to react if traffic ahead slows suddenly. On busy highway stretches, a car following too closely usually can't stop in time once one vehicle brakes hard, which is how a single slowdown turns into a chain-reaction crash.
Do secondary crashes sometimes happen after an initial wreck?
Yes. Once a crash blocks lanes or traffic backs up, drivers approaching the scene can rear-end stopped vehicles if they don't see the slowdown in time. That risk is part of why responders move quickly to close lanes and warn oncoming traffic.
What makes a five-car crash harder to investigate than a two-car crash?
Investigators have to determine the order vehicles struck each other, how much each impact contributed to the damage and injuries, and whether more than one driver's actions played a role. Sorting that out from physical evidence and witness accounts takes more time than a simple two-vehicle collision.
What to Do After a Multi-Vehicle Crash in Sandy, Utah
If you're involved in a chain-reaction crash, try to stay inside your vehicle with your seatbelt on unless it's unsafe to do so, especially if you're stopped on a freeway shoulder or active lane. Turn on hazard lights if they still work. Once it's safe, move to the shoulder or another protected area away from moving traffic rather than standing near the vehicles.
Even if you feel fine, get checked out by a medical provider. Injuries from multi-vehicle crashes, including whiplash and internal injuries, don't always show symptoms right away. Get the names and contact information of other drivers and any witnesses, and ask responding troopers how to obtain a copy of the official crash report once it's filed. Photos of vehicle positions and damage, taken only when it's safe, can also help later when sorting out what happened.
