FATAL ACCIDENT • James Roderick, 65, South Jordan was killed is this fatal accident on I-15 South of Nephi on September 9th. Photo UHP

 

By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent

A failed tire on a motorhome caused a fatal accident on Thursday, September 9.
James C. Roderick, 65, South Jordan, a passenger in the vehicle, died as a result of the noon accident.
Hoby Metz, Utah Highway Patrol Sgt., said that the 2003 Alpine motorhome, pulling a Chev Avalanche pickup, was traveling southbound on Interstate-15, near mile marker 212.5, when the left front tire on the RV (Recreational Vehicle) failed and lost tread.
"The driver of the vehicle, Kathryn Roderick, 59, also of South Jordan, lost control of the vehicle," said Metz.
After loosing tread, the motorhome left the roadway to the left, impacted a delineator post, traveled into the median and crossed both northbound lanes of the freeway.
The vehicle then went off the road where it impacted another delineator post. It then traveled down a steep embankment where the right wheels were off of the ground.
"The motorhome then went through the UDOT fence, impacted a dirt berm and vaulted," said Metz. "The Chev Avalanche pickup broke away from the RV and came to rest straddling the dirt berm."
The motorhome continued for a short distance and came to rest in the field located beyond the fence.
"The cabinetry from the motorhome coach came down upon the occupants," said Metz. "The passenger was unresponsive."
"The cabinetry was lifted off of the passenger and he was removed from the vehicle seat," he said.
CPR was preformed on the scene and then James C. Roderick was taken by East Juab County Ambulance to Central Valley Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead.
Metz said that speed was not a factor in the accident. The posted speed was 75 mph and that was the speed the vehicle was traveling. Both vehicle occupants were wearing seatbelts.
UHP Trooper Corey Houskeeper was the investigating officer. He was assisted by Metz and by UHP Trooper Chad McWilliams.