LINDON, Utah — What began as a routine response to a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 15 quickly turned into a shocking discovery on Wednesday when authorities found two young girls inside a refrigerated trailer being towed by a semitruck. The driver, 28-year-old Jacob Ortell Scott, was arrested on suspicion of third-degree felony aggravated child abuse, according to a police booking affidavit.

The chain of events started around 11:15 a.m., when Utah Highway Patrol officers were already working to clear the scene of an earlier crash that had slowed traffic in the area.

According to Lt. Cam Roden, vehicles were stopped along the interstate when Scott, driving a semitruck, collided with a car, pushing it into multiple others. The impact caused a five-vehicle crash, injuring two people—one in serious condition and another in critical condition—both of whom were transported to local hospitals.

As troopers began inspecting the semitruck involved in the crash, they noticed something unusual in the trailer. The affidavit reports that one trooper, while checking the refrigerated unit, saw what appeared to be two sets of eyes peering from inside. When questioned, Scott initially appeared surprised but eventually admitted, after conferring with his passenger, that there were children inside the trailer.

Troopers quickly opened the doors and found two girls, ages 12 and 14, confined within the refrigerated space. Authorities noted that there was no way for the girls to escape from inside the trailer, raising immediate concerns about their safety.

Interviews conducted by the Utah State Bureau of Investigation and the Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) revealed that the girls had been inside the trailer since leaving Huntington and were en route to Salt Lake City. The affidavit further described the hazardous conditions: the trailer’s thermostat was set to 30 degrees Fahrenheit, and at one point, the temperature dropped to 29.5 degrees. Troopers also found bedding inside the trailer, indicating the girls had been placed there intentionally for the journey.

Lt. Roden explained that the truck’s cab had only two seats, which were occupied by Scott and his sibling. As a result, the two minors were relegated to the trailer during the drive. Thankfully, neither girl suffered physical injuries, and they were safely released into the custody of other family members following the incident.

Meanwhile, Scott was transported to a hospital after complaining of a possible hand injury. Once medically cleared, he was booked into the Utah County Jail on felony child abuse charges. Authorities have not yet released details regarding his motive or why the girls were transported in such dangerous circumstances.

The shocking incident has raised serious questions about the driver’s judgment and the safety risks posed to the children, especially given the extreme cold inside the refrigerated unit. Investigators are continuing to review the case, while child protection services remain involved to ensure the well-being of the minors.

What began as a routine crash response has now become a case that highlights both the dangers of reckless driving and the urgent importance of safeguarding children from harm.