Man on portable oxygen crashes on I-15 near Snowfield

The remnants of the truck involved in the crash at mile marker 33 on Interstate 15, Dec. 9, 2014 | Photo by Devan Chavez, St. George News

WASHINGTON COUNTY — Traffic was slowed Tuesday on Interstate 15 after a man crashed his truck into a crash attenuator.

The front left tire of the truck involved in the crash at mile marker 33 on Interstate 15, Dec. 9, 2014 | Photo by Devan Chavez, St. George News
The front left tire of the truck involved in the crash at mile marker 33 on Interstate 15, Dec. 9, 2014 | Photo by Devan Chavez, St. George News

At approximately 9:38 a.m., Utah Highway Patrol Trooper Jesse Williams responded to the accident at mile marker 33, near the Ranch Exit at Snowfield, after a passing motorist stopped and informed him of the incident.

The man driving, believed to be between 60-70 years of age, Williams said, was heading southbound on Interstate 15 when he left his lane of travel and crashed his gray Chevy Silverado into a crash attenuator — or “crash cushion” — on the outside of the left lane. The man was also using a portable oxygen tank at the time of the crash, Williams said.

“He wasn’t complaining of any specific pain, but he had diminished mental capacity,” he said.

The man was repeating the same words and phrases over and over again, Williams said. Because that type of behavior may indicate a head injury, Leeds Area Fire and Rescue transported the man to Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George.

Damage to the crash attenuator that was struck by a the truck involved in the crash at mile marker 33 on Interstate 15, Dec. 9, 2014 | Photo by Devan Chavez, St. George News
Damage to the crash attenuator that was struck by a the truck involved in the crash at mile marker 33 on Interstate 15, Dec. 9, 2014 | Photo by Devan Chavez, St. George News

At this time, Williams said, it is unknown as to why or how the man crashed.

“We don’t know why he came off the road,” he said. “We don’t know if he fell asleep, if it was a medical event or something (else).”

The crash closed down the left lane of traffic in the accident area for a little over an hour, Williams said.

This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.

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7 Comments

  • mo ferguson December 9, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    Is using an oxygen tank while driving considered distracted driving? I mean, using a cell phone is, so what about an oxygen tank? Is “huffing” while driving considered driving impaired? How many more seniors have to get hurt or worse, before they are tested to keep their driving licenses?

  • Koolaid December 9, 2014 at 2:07 pm

    Isn’t diminished mental capacity characteristic of a lot of 70 year olds? Take Hatch for example, who, I think is also a waste of oxygen.

    • mesaman December 9, 2014 at 9:49 pm

      I think you are a waste of protoplasm.

  • hope it wasn't a stroke December 9, 2014 at 3:01 pm

    hope it wasn’t a stroke. having all accident variables is a really good way to keep better stats on accidents. too bad some ppl don’t lose their typing priveleges as they puke insults at everyone.. the article was good thanks.

  • ladybugavenger December 9, 2014 at 7:35 pm

    He’s lucky he didn’t spontaneously combust

  • elliemae100 December 9, 2014 at 10:39 pm

    Many people use portable oxygen – it’s used to increase a person’s oxygenation in order for their body to work properly. Using portable 02 doesn’t make one handicapped, create a hazard, or otherwise adversely effect a person’s ability to function. If he used a wheelchair, would it have been in the title? If he wore glasses or a hearing aid, would it have been in the title? Of course not. It’s simply another assistive device.

    • Koolaid December 11, 2014 at 2:27 pm

      Could he have crossed up the plumbing between the oxygen bottle for himself and a nitrous oxide bottle for the truck?

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