Deadly Utah Crash Highlights Dangers of Wrong-Way Drivers

Authorities urge drivers to take immediate action when spotting a vehicle traveling the wrong direction on the highway.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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In December 2025, two teenagers were killed in a crash with a wrong-way driver in Utah, sparking renewed concerns about this persistent safety issue on the state's roads. While Utah has detection systems in place, the state's highway patrol emphasized that drivers must be prepared to quickly maneuver out of the way if they encounter a vehicle traveling the wrong direction, as the closing speed between the two vehicles leaves little time for complex decision-making in these life-threatening situations.

Why it matters

Wrong-way crashes remain a deadly problem in Utah and across the country, with fatality rates staying consistent despite a recent decrease in the overall number of such incidents. These head-on collisions, often caused by impaired or confused drivers, highlight the need for improved safety measures and driver education to prevent future tragedies.

The details

During a demonstration, Utah Highway Patrol Lt. Cameron Roden showed how limited a driver's reaction time is when two vehicles approach each other head-on, even at slow speeds. He advised drivers to signal, move to the right shoulder, reduce speed, flash lights, honk the horn, and call 911 immediately if they spot a wrong-way driver. The majority of these crashes occur in the left lane, as wrong-way drivers typically believe they are in their own right lane.

  • In December 2025, two teenagers were killed in a crash with a wrong-way driver.
  • The viewer's question that prompted the investigation was sent in recently.

The players

Utah Highway Patrol

The state law enforcement agency that provided guidance on how drivers should respond when encountering a wrong-way vehicle.

Lt. Cameron Roden

A Utah Highway Patrol officer who demonstrated the limited reaction time available in a head-on collision scenario with a wrong-way driver.

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What they’re saying

“Yes, they really do. If they can see them and safely maneuver out of their way. We have wrong-way drivers that avoid a lot of vehicles and people end up calling that driver in, which helps law enforcement to be able to know where that vehicle is, how fast they're traveling.”

— Lt. Cameron Roden, Utah Highway Patrol Officer (fox13now.com)

“Right now I'm flashing my lights, trying to get the driver's attention. I could put on my hazards. I'm gonna signal letting other traffic know that I've got an oncoming vehicle and try to maneuver out of his way. You can see how fast that reaction time is, even us traveling really, really slow. We close that distance really quickly, which the options are so limited when cars are closing that fast.”

— Lt. Cameron Roden, Utah Highway Patrol Officer (fox13now.com)

What’s next

The Utah Highway Patrol and other state agencies will continue to evaluate safety measures and driver education programs to prevent future wrong-way driving incidents and reduce fatalities.

The takeaway

This tragic crash highlights the urgent need for improved safety measures and driver awareness to address the persistent problem of wrong-way driving on Utah's roads. While detection systems are in place, the state's highway patrol emphasizes that quick action by drivers who spot a wrong-way vehicle can be the difference between life and death in these high-speed, head-on collision scenarios.