Elwin Hitesman Killed in Car Accident in Tooele County, UT

Tooele County, UT — March 12, 2025, One person was killed following a car accident that occurred Wednesday afternoon on I-80.

An investigation is underway into a car accident that left one person dead during the afternoon hours of March 12th. According to official reports, a Ford Mustang operated by Elwin Hitesman was travelling on Interstate 80 in the eastbound lanes when for unknown reasons the vehicle lost control and struck the median, causing severe damage to the Mustang.

When first responders arrived on the scene, they found that Hitesman had sustained fatal injuries and he was pronounced deceased. At this time there has been no further information released about the accident, including what caused the vehicle to lose control, however this remains an ongoing investigation and more details may be released in the future.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I read about a crash like this, my first thought is that the people affected deserve clear answers about what happened. A vehicle losing control and striking the median is not something that happens without a cause. While authorities continue their investigation, there are three key questions that must be addressed to fully understand what led to this fatal crash.

First, did law enforcement conduct a thorough investigation? While officers typically document the scene and gather initial evidence, the depth of their investigation can vary. In single-vehicle crashes like this, it’s essential to determine whether road conditions, tire marks, or possible mechanical issues contributed to the loss of control. Were there any witnesses who saw the car’s movements beforehand? Were weather conditions a factor? Without a full reconstruction of the crash, critical details could be missed.

Second, has anyone considered whether a vehicle defect played a role? It’s easy to assume driver error in single-vehicle crashes, but mechanical failures—such as steering malfunctions, brake failures, or tire blowouts—can cause a driver to lose control without warning. Modern performance cars, like the Ford Mustang, are equipped with complex electronic stability systems designed to help prevent loss of control, so a malfunction in these systems should also be investigated. Unfortunately, these potential causes are often overlooked unless someone takes steps to ensure the vehicle is examined before it is scrapped or repaired.

Finally, has all the available electronic data been preserved? The vehicle’s electronic control module (ECM) may contain crucial information about speed, steering input, and braking activity in the moments before impact. Authorities should also check for nearby traffic cameras or business security footage that may have captured the accident. Another often-overlooked source of evidence is cell phone records—was the driver using their phone just before losing control? These digital records can provide key insights into what happened.

At the end of the day, crashes like this leave families searching for answers. Understanding what caused the vehicle to lose control is essential—not just for those directly affected, but for the broader community as well. Whether road conditions, a mechanical issue, or some other factor played a role, a thorough investigation is necessary to ensure that no critical piece of evidence is overlooked in the search for the truth.