Utah State University Grounds Van Fleet After Fatal Accident
SALT LAKE CITY, UT — After an accident that killed eight students and one instructor and wounded two others, Utah State University (USU) has temporarily grounded its fleet of 50 15-passenger vans for safety inspections.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT — After an accident that killed eight students and one instructor and wounded two others, Utah State University (USU) has temporarily grounded its fleet of 50 15-passenger vans for safety inspections, according to the Standard-Examiner of Utah and KSL NewsRadio. The 1994 Dodge Ram van, carrying members of the school’s agricultural club, was returning to campus when it apparently blew a tire and rolled four times, ejecting all 11 passengers. The school is also reviewing its operation policies. The current policies were set in place after a USU accident in 2001. That accident involved the rollover of a 15-passenger van, as well, injuring six members of the USU men’s volleyball club. Margaret Chambers, deputy director of state fleet service, says the university has a checklist of strict requirements to operate the 15-passenger vans. However, USU has been phasing out the 15-passenger vans in favor of 12-passenger vans.
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