The Tragedy of Automobile Accidents May 10, 2005 Provo man killed in I-15 crash BY JANAE FRANCIS_ Standard-Examiner staff jfrancis@standard.net MARRIOTT-SLATERVILLE A single-vehicle Interstate 15 rollover killed a Provo father Monday night. Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Brad Horne said the accident occurred at 7:23 p.m. in the southbound lanes at the 450 North exit at Pioneer Road. The accident happened when the small truck somehow lost traction, spun around, hit a wall and rolled two times, Horne said. Horne said the 45-year-old father received severe head injuries when the cab of his Ford Ranger pickup caved in on him and his 15-year-old son. It was unclear at the time who was driving. Neither were wearing seat belts. Southbound traffic was diverted off the freeway for one hour and 15 minutes while emergency personnel and police responded to the scene. Police still are investigating the accident. Home said heavy rains and possible hydroplaning of the vehicle were contributing factors to the wreck. The father was taken by helicopter to the University of Utah Hospital medical trauma center where he was later pronounced dead. The son was taken by ambulance to McKay-Dee Hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries. The father and son were visiting the area for a lacrosse tournament. May 11, 2005 Father identified in fatal accident MARRIOTT-SLATERVILLE Police have confirmed that a 15-year-old boy was the driver of a vehicle that rolled over on Interstate 15 Monday night. The accident resulted in the death of the boy's father. Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Lee Perry said the boy had a learner's permit and was driving the 2000 Ford Ranger. The Ranger was traveling south on Interstate 15 near milepost 346 when the accident occurred. Witnesses said the Ranger swerved and left the roadway on the right end. The vehicle then hit a concrete barrier and rolled twice. Perry said the boy, who was wearing a seat belt, was treated for minor injuries at McKay-Dee Hospital and released the same night. The father, Randy Ficklin, of Provo, was transported by helicopter to University of Utah Hospital with head injuries. Ficklin, 45, later died from his injuries. Perry said the father was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident and was partially ejected from the vehicle.