Green River, UT Mourns a Mayor Lost In Semi Crash

 A Tragic Loss on Highway 6

Mayor Ren Hatt was killed in a head on crash on Highway 6, just west of Green River, UT. Troopers said a semi drifted into the eastbound lane and hit his SUV. He died at the scene. The semi driver was not injured and the investigation into what caused the crash is underway, impairment is not believed to be a contributing factor.

Green River is a close-knit community and this loss cuts deep. Hatt was a Green River native and dedicated public servant. He was a teacher, coach, grant writer and beloved leader of the small town, winning his most recent election by 65%.

The road where the crash happened is a quiet stretch of Highway 6 that cuts through the open desert between Green River and the I-70 split. The rural road is mostly 2 lanes with little room for error.

The FMCSA numbers reflect what happens on roads like this. More than half of all fatal crashes involving large trucks take place on rural roads. When a truck and a passenger car collide, the smaller vehicle faces most of the impact.

Head-on crashes are rare - making up around 3% of all truck accidents, but when they happen, they are some of the deadliest on the road. On a two-lane highway with nothing between the lanes but paint, the risk climbs fast.

Truck U Take

From our personal experience living in the country of TX and NC, we both know that rural highways demand more attention than most people think. One move across the center line can change the whole story. Recognizing how fast things shift on narrow roads where trucks and cars meet at full speed is important for motor carriers and four wheelers alike.

Rural roads look simple, but they give you almost no margin. We watch these patterns because we drive them daily. 

Disclosure

This post is for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice, insurance advice, or a substitute for calling your agent. Truck U is good, but we are not psychic. Policies vary, laws change, and courtrooms get weird. Do not make decisions based solely on something you read on the internet unless it is from us, in writing, with your name on it.

All opinions are our own and do not represent the views of any carrier, employer, or underwriting department that occasionally wishes we were quieter on LinkedIn.