WASHINGTON — A driver who survived crashing his vehicle after it veered off Interstate 15 Thursday evening may have suffered a medical episode before losing control of his vehicle, said Utah Highway Patrol Trooper Chad Lewis, who responded to the scene.
Just after 5 p.m. the St. George Communications Center received a report of a single vehicle accident on I-15 northbound, at mile marker 13. UHP troopers responding to the incident found a tan GMC SUV about 100-feet down an embankment off the right hand shoulder of the freeway, UHP Trooper Chris Lewis said.
A witness told Lewis the SUV was traveling northbound in the second lane when it swerved suddenly to the right, cutting off the witness in his vehicle before going completely off the roadway.
As the SUV drove off the freeway it hit a berm approximately 15 feet from the right hand shoulder, launching the vehicle 50 feet into the air before landing at the bottom of a ravine, Lewis said.
Emergency personnel found the driver unconscious when they arrived, but he regained consciousness and was able to answer questions before being transported to Dixie Regional Medical Center.
“The man’s injuries were not life threatening,” said Lewis. “But it appeared that he may have had a medical condition that may have caused the accident.”
One of the emergency responders knew the driver and told officers that the man has a history of a seizure disorder. The driver was wearing his seat belt and airbags deployed upon impact.
The SUV was towed after being lifted out of the deep ravine. The Utah Highway Patrol, Washington City Fire Department, Gold Cross Ambulance and Utah Department of Transportation’s Incident Management Team responded to the scene.
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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Tan GMC SUV 100 feet down a ravine after single car collision on I-15 in Washington, Utah, Mar. 10, 2016| Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News Tan GMC SUV 100 feet down a ravine after single car collision on I-15 in Washington, Utah, Mar. 10, 2016| Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News Tan GMC SUV falls 100 feet down a ravine after single car collision that injures driver on I-15 in Washington, Utah, Mar. 10, 2016| Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News Tan GMC SUVat the bottom of 100 foot ravine after single car collision that injures driver on I-15 in Washington, Utah, Mar. 10, 2016| Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News Tan GMC SUV being towed after crashing to the bottom of 100 foot ravine after single car collision that injures driver on I-15 in Washington, Utah, Mar. 10, 2016| Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News
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Another ‘medical episode’? What a cop-out.
A person with a history of seizures should not be allowed to drive, period. This driver is a threat to everyone around him on the road.
Revoke his license immediately. If he had hit a car full of kids, he’d be on trial for attempted murder.
another ‘medical episode’ of the RealMcStupid operating a keyboard .revoke his keyboard immediately !
Be careful what you wish for- a law that bans retarded comments means STG news comment boards become a ghost town.