Police identify woman in fatal crash

A woman died from the injuries she sustained during a collision with a light pole at the Valley View Drive and Dixie Drive intersection, St. George, Utah, March 8, 2014 | Photo by Ric Wayman, St. George News

ST. GEORGE – Officials have released the identity of a woman who died Sunday afternoon following a high-speed collision on Valley View Drive in St. George.

A woman died from injuries she sustained during a collision with a light pole at the Valley View Drive and Dixie Drive intersection, St. George, Utah, March 8, 2014 | Photo courtesy of the St. George Police Department, St. George News
A woman died from injuries she sustained during a collision with a light pole at the Valley View Drive and Dixie Drive intersection, St. George, Utah, March 8, 2014 | Photo courtesy of the St. George Police Department, St. George News

The driver, identified as 84-year-old Shirley Gaston, of St. George, was traveling at a high rate of speed when she essentially wrapped her car around a light pole at the intersection of Valley View Drive and Dixie Drive at approximately 2 p.m.

Witnesses said Gaston was traveling south on Valley View Drive at about 70 mph. Without slowing or turning, she crashed her gray 2005 Toyota Camry into a light pole on the southwest corner of the intersection across the street from Green Valley Market.

Heavy equipment was used to extricate Gaston from the vehicle, and Life Flight was initially dispatched to the scene but was cancelled shortly afterward when it was confirmed that Gaston had died.

Gaston was the only occupant of the vehicle. No other injuries were reported and no other vehicles were involved in the accident.

A woman died from injuries she sustained during a collision with a light pole at the Valley View Drive and Dixie Drive intersection, St. George, Utah, March 8, 2014 | Photo by Ric Wayman, St. George News
A woman died from injuries she sustained during a collision with a light pole at the Valley View Drive and Dixie Drive intersection, St. George, Utah, March 8, 2014 | Photo by Ric Wayman, St. George News

Police confirmed speed was a factor in the collision but said it is unclear why Gaston was driving at excessive speeds.

“We’re not sure if there was impairment, distraction or whether the woman suffered a medical incident,” St. George Police Sgt. Craig Harding said at the scene Sunday.

An autopsy has been requested to help determine if a medical condition may have contributed to the incident.

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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