Truck rolls, trailer jackknifes in construction zone

Written by Julie Applegate
June 29, 2016
A truck pulling a trailer rolls on S.R. 18 Wednesday morning, June 29, 2016 | Photo by Julie Applegate, St. George News
A truck pulling a trailer rolls on state Route 18 Wednesday morning, St. George, Utah, June 29, 2016 | Photo by Julie Applegate, St. George News

ST. GEORGE – A single-vehicle crash Wednesday morning left a truck on its side wedged against the box trailer it was pulling.

The accident was reported at 10:10 a.m. just north of the Ledges overpass on state Route 18 near mile marker 8, St. George Police Officer Lona Trombley said.

The incident occurred when northbound traffic was stopped by a flagger due to road construction.

A 1999 white Dodge Ram 2500 driven by a 20-year-old man was traveling north on SR-18 pulling an empty 26-foot box trailer, Trombley said.

The driver saw that traffic had stopped but could not stop the vehicle in time and pulled to the right to avoid hitting a motorcyclist.

The truck went off the road, hit a bush and rock and then flipped on its side, Trombley said.

Both the truck and trailer were damaged and had to be towed from the scene, Trombley said, and the driver was reportedly uninjured.

The driver was cited for driving too fast for conditions, expired registration and a commercial vehicle medical card violation.

A truck pulling a trailer rolls on S.R. 18 Wednesday morning, June 29, 2016 | Photo by Julie Applegate, St. George News
A truck pulling a trailer rolls on state Route 18 Wednesday morning, St. George, Utah, June 29, 2016 | Photo by Julie Applegate, St. George News

The truck combined with the trailer weigh more than 10,000 pounds and therefore required a Utah Department of Transportation number, Trombley said, and the driver should have had a medical card.

St. George Police, St. George Fire Department, Utah Highway Patrol, Utah Department of Transportation and Gold Cross Ambulance responded to the scene.

 Construction zone

The accident happened in an area where Utah Department of Transportation is working on a pavement preservation project which runs from milepost 6.3 to milepost 9.6.

Expected traffic impacts of the project include one lane of travel in each direction between mileposts 6 and 9 and alternating traffic between mileposts 9 and 10, according to the project website. The work is expected to be finished next week.

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

Ed. note: Corrected expected completion date of construction on SR-18.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2016, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Julie Applegate is a long-time resident and fan of Southern Utah. She brings a strong background in news writing and editing, formerly as a full-time member of the St. George News team and currently as a contributor. Julie spent several years in the software industry. She believes strongly in the role of responsible news media in society, especially at the local level. In her spare time, Julie can be found exploring Southern Utah on foot and by four-wheel drive or spending time with her family.

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7 Comments

  • Kevin June 29, 2016 at 8:12 pm

    I was the guy on the motorcycle I’m pretty sure that the guy driving the truck was on the phone and totally distracted I’m glad he was not hurt and I didn’t have to die just so he could learn a valuable lesson

    • ladybugavenger June 30, 2016 at 6:52 am

      I’m glad you didn’t have to die either.

    • .... June 30, 2016 at 10:36 am

      I hope no turtles were hurt

  • Brian June 29, 2016 at 11:40 pm

    I’ve been wondering what the road construction on SR-18 is all about. That road is practically new and perfectly fine. There are WAY worse roads in southern Utah. And me and my family drive that stretch every day. I’m all for solid infrastructure, but I’m even more in favor of responsible spending of taxpayer dollars.

    • Ron June 30, 2016 at 11:05 am

      Can you say “marathons, triathalons, cycling events, etc., that brings in out-of-town tourist $$$??? After all, have to keep that stretch of highway looking nice and pretty, while making it inconvenient for the locals and residents of The Ledges, Winchester Hills, Diamond Valley, Dammeron Valley, Veyo and Central.
      Who cares about the residents and locals……

    • digger June 30, 2016 at 8:53 pm

      Poor Brian,
      There are several big hydroplane ares on that new stretch the previous contractor created.
      Also, if you don’t use the Federal Funds as much as 80% of the total cost the State loses it.
      Local Jobs, Local Contractor, Western Rock,
      Why don’t you just wait and see what happens out there , and appreciate those men do Hard Work for You! A Daily Commuter.
      Stick to your soft little pecking hands.???

      • .... July 1, 2016 at 9:24 am

        Lmao. ! you should stick to your soft little pecking dictionary ! Duhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

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