Richfield, Utah — A quiet winter morning turned tragic on Interstate 70 Friday when 32-year-old Kasha Guild of Redmond lost her life after being ejected from her vehicle and the car bursting into flames. The crash happened around 9:45 a.m. near mile marker 46, just east of Richfield.
Guild was driving her Acura MDX westbound on the highway when another vehicle, its hazard lights flashing, passed her on the shoulder and merged back into traffic. Moments later, a Chevrolet 3500 pickup towing a flatbed trailer failed to slow or steer clear of the MDX. Utah Highway Patrol says the Chevrolet struck Guild’s SUV from behind, sending both vehicles careening out of control.
Both the Acura and the Chevrolet veered off the pavement and into the median that separates the westbound and eastbound lanes. In the violent impact, Guild was thrown from her SUV before it erupted into flames. Emergency responders arriving at the scene found the vehicle totally engulfed.
Despite immediate efforts by first responders, Guild was pronounced dead at the scene. The violence of the crash and the sudden fire meant there was little chance for survival once she was ejected. Officials did not say whether she was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision.
The driver of the Chevrolet pickup suffered only minor injuries and was treated at the scene before being released. Authorities have not released that driver’s name pending notification of family and further investigation.
Utah Highway Patrol troopers remain at work piecing together the final moments before the crash, including why the first car had pulled over with its hazards flashing and whether road conditions played a role. Investigators have asked any motorists who were in the area with dash-cam footage to contact law enforcement.
Friends and family are remembering Guild as more than a statistic. Loved ones describe her as warm-hearted and full of life, a presence that made ordinary days better for those around her. Her sudden death has sent ripples through the Redmond community, where people are still coming to terms with the loss.
Authorities urge drivers on Utah’s highways to use extra caution, especially when approaching stopped vehicles or those displaying hazard lights. Interstate shoulder zones can be particularly dangerous spots for sudden stops and unexpected maneuvers.
