On Monday, December 2, 2024, at approximately 8:11 pm, a small plane was traveling northbound above I-15 in the Payson area. The plane experienced a mechanical failure, and the engine quit. The pilot and student pilot decided to land on I-15 northbound near the Payson Main St. exit milepost 250. After a successful landing, several cars stopped in the lane behind the plane. The aircraft was blocking the right lane, and several individuals attempted to push the plane off the road by hand. A Dodge pickup came upon the stopped traffic and could not stop before striking four other vehicles, pushing them into the airplane. Multiple injuries were reported, and at least four individuals were transported to local hospitals with varied injuries from minor to serious. Traffic was diverted off the interstate for approximately 3 hours while crews cleaned up the scene and removed the airplane. The damaged aircraft was towed off the freeway until it could be disassembled enough to be transported. I-15 reopened at approximately 11:30 pm.
The driver of a white Chevy pickup, which was the first vehicle hit, was transported and died at the hospital from his injuries.
Chevy driver (fatal): Valdecir De Oliveira, Age: 58, From: Santaquin, UT