WASATCH COUNTY, Utah — Three people are dead after a chain reaction car crash west of the Heber Valley Airport near Charleston.
Investigators with Utah Highway Patrol believe a Jeep traveling on the highway slowed down and was rear ended by a truck.
That collision caused the Jeep to catch fire.
It swerved into oncoming traffic where it was broadsided by an oncoming Trailblazer SUV.
Both vehicles became engulfed, killing all three people inside.
WATCH: Dangerous amounts of road debris found on Utah roadway
It is believed one person was in the Jeep and two people were in the Trailblazer.
The victims have not been identified.
The accident caused the closure of Highway 189 for several hours.
This accident continues an alarming trend of deadly accidents on Utah roads.
“As of today, Utah Highway Patrol has investigated 19 more fatalities, now add 3 more to that than we did at this point in 2020 which was already an unprecedented year for the amount of fatalities we saw on Utah's roadways comparing it to the past 5 years,” said Lt. Nick Street of Utah Highway Patrol.
UHP is reminding drivers to obey the speed limit, avoid distracted driving and to be mindful of following distance.
READ: NHTSA projects rate of crash fatalities in 2020 to be highest since 2007
At least two of the three people killed were recent graduates of Wasatch High School.
The Wasatch County School District told FOX 13 it will have counselors at the school Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
"Wasatch County School District extends our sincerest condolences and sympathies to the families involved in the recent tragedy in our community," their statement read. "We are keeping these families in our prayers."
