Utah Highway Patrol spokesman Jeff Nigbur says 38-year-old Mike Penovich died after his duel-wheeled fire truck veered off State Road 189 and into the reservoir this morning in Wasatch County. His body was recovered by search and rescue workers about 11:30 a.m. A wrecker finished pulling the truck from the reservoir shortly before 3 p.m.
Penovich was southbound - returning from a meeting in the Heber City area, according to Saratoga Springs police - at about 10:30 a.m. when he crossed to the west side of the road and passed over a gravel public access lot that ends with an 80-foot deep embankment, the Utah Highway Patrol said.
The truck hit the ground before coming to rest in the water. Authorities arrived to find the truck completely submerged and Penovich in the cab. It is not clear why the vehicle left the road, Nigbur said.
Troopers believe Penovich drowned inside the truck. The seatbelt was in position over the driver's shoulder and waist, but the buckle was not fastened, Nigbur said.
There is a concrete barrier for most of the road along the reservoir, but the barrier ends at the public access lot where the truck left the roadway.
Two men boating on the reservoir heard the crash and saw people pointing into the water. They moved their boat near the spot. One dove in, but couldn't see anything in the murky water.
They and other boaters did find and retrieve an EMT kit and other items floating in the water.
Penovich leaves behind his wife, Michelle and two children.
He previously served as Cedar Fort's fire chief and became Saratoga Springs' chief in 2006.
Penovich was among the first chiefs in Utah County to contract with the state to fight wildfires and was known for providing the best equipment for his crews, Utah County Fire Warden Delbert Jay said.
"He's probably the most progressive chief in the county," Jay said.
He grew up in the Chandler, Ariz., area, graduated from Lehi High School and attended Scottsdale Community College, where he was an instructor at its fire academy. His hobbies included horses, and he was an award-winning rodeo participant, according to Saratoga Springs police spokesman Cpl. Aaron D. Rosen.
