Practice News Story 11: Accident

11 p.m. MT, April 17, 2008

Utah State University Van Rolls on Interstate-84

For Immediate Release:

TREMONTON, Utah – Utah Highway Patrolman Jason Jensen was the first to arrive at the scene of the horrific rollover accident involving a Utah State University van traveling with ten Agriculture students and one Professor. Jensen, who arrived just after 4 p.m., believes the van was traveling at “high velocity… close to speeds around 95 to 100 miles per hour.” Jensen also noted that at least four of the occupants were dead on the scene. “I have been in the force for 15 years and this is the worst accident I have ever seen, it’s a tragedy that will affect people for years,” Jensen said when asked about the accident.

Kyle Holden, and eyewitness to the rollover, said he was traveling in a separate vehicle when he started to pass the van and saw the rear driver-side tire blow up in a cloud of smoke. “Evan (Parker, Professor and driver) lost control and swerved off of the road.” Holden recalled the van rolling up to four or five times and saw bodies projected from the van.

The Dean of the College of Agriculture, Noel Cockett, mentioned that it is Agriculture week at the university and had great things to say about the students. “This was an exceptional group of students.” Cockett mentioned the names of six, two of whom survived and four who died. The survivors are Robert Peterson and Jared Nelson who are in critical condition, two others survived but their names are not being released. The four who passed and were released were Professor Evan Parker, Steven Bair, Kurt Madsen and Brad Wilcox. Cockett has canceled Ag Week due to the tragic event and said Memorial services will be held instead.