Semi driver passes out, crashes on I-15

Written by Devan Chavez
February 22, 2015

NEW HARMONY — A man was transported to the hospital Saturday night after he passed out while driving a semitrailer loaded with bananas on Interstate 15, near milepost 38, and crashed.

At approximately 8:10 p.m., the man was heading north on the interstate when he began having chest pain and passed out, Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Jake Hicks said.

The semitrailer first drifted to the right where it struck a concrete barrier, Hicks said. That impact then forced the vehicle to the left where it went into the median and struck a cable barrier, bringing it to a stop.

“It took out about 85 of those metal posts in the cable barrier,” Hicks said. “It just stopped it.”

No other vehicles were involved in the collision, Hicks said. Other than the driver’s initial medical problems, he is not believed to have been injured by the crash, he said.

Life Flight was originally called to respond to the incident, UHP Trooper Evan Kirby said, but was later canceled. The driver was transported to Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George and kept overnight for evaluation.

Traffic was not greatly impacted by the collision because of the location in the median where the semitrailer ended up, Hicks said. Luckily, the semitrailer did not flip or dump its load of bananas.

No citations were issued, Hicks said, and neither drugs nor alcohol appeared to be a factor in the collision.

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

St. George News Reporter Cami Cox Jim contributed to this report.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2015, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Devan Chavez began working at St. George News soon after graduating from Southern Utah University in 2014 with a degree in Communication with an emphasis in Broadcast Journalism. Devan has traveled to multiple countries on humanitarian service and study abroad trips. He enjoys learning about new cultures and sharing ideas. He hopes to use his skills to spread awareness of issues and aid the less fortunate. In his free time He recently returned to SUU and is working towards his Master's in Professional Communication. Devan enjoys photography, videography, cycling around town, loud concerts and training in muay thai kickboxing.

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7 Comments

  • ladybugavenger February 22, 2015 at 3:45 pm

    Yes, we have no bananas.

  • Mesaizacd February 22, 2015 at 5:27 pm

    We have some on the way

  • fun bag February 22, 2015 at 7:37 pm

    the fact that the bananas were spared must be a sign from above.

    • ladybugavenger February 22, 2015 at 8:42 pm

      They might be bruised. Banana bread fundraiser. To pay for the drivers hospital bills

      • sagemoon February 26, 2015 at 8:27 am

        I love banana bread! I’m down for a fundraiser.

    • Moveback7spaces February 25, 2015 at 5:48 pm

      You think so koolaid

  • GROANATTACK February 23, 2015 at 4:47 am

    He should of taken a cab its cheaper than a semi

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