ST. GEORGE — A two-car collision during heavy rainfall left one Washington City man dead and another injured near Hildale Thursday.
Emergency crews responded to the 11:40 a.m. crash that occurred near milepost 7 on state Route 59 on a stretch of highway between Hildale and Apple Valley, according to a statement released by Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Todd Royce Thursday evening.
Nathan Boone, a 43-year-old man from Washington City, died from injuries sustained in the crash, while another man was transported by ambulance to Dixie Regional Medical Center in stable condition.
Boone was heading west on SR-59 in a silver Toyota Yaris when he lost control of his vehicle and spun into the eastbound lane.
A man driving a black Ford Escape traveling eastbound hit the Toyota as it crossed into his lane of travel, striking the Ford on the passenger side of the vehicle. Boone died at the scene, according to the UHP statement.
The severity of the impact destroyed both vehicles. Authorities closed both lanes of traffic so emergency personnel could tend to the injured.
SR-59 was completely closed in both directions and eastbound traffic was backed up for more than a mile while authorities cleared the crash scene, according to one witness.
“The investigation is on going (sic), but speed is believed to be a factor,” the UHP media statement states, without indicating which of the vehicles may have been speeding. “Drugs or alcohol are not suspected as a factor.”
The Utah Highway Patrol, Washington County Sheriff’s Office and Hildale/Colorado City Fire and Rescue 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.
Update Jan. 13: UHP Trooper Lawrence Hopper said Friday the investigation into cause is ongoing and will include an accident reconstruction. “We are hoping that once the investigation is completed we will be able to determine how he (Boone) lost control,” Hopper said, “and why he lost control.”
Ed. note: CORRECTION made Jan. 13, 5:20 a.m. The spelling of Boone has been corrected throughout upon confirmation with a family member; spelling given on first publish reflected that provided by UHP.
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A man was killed in a head-on collision on state Route 59 near Hildale, Utah, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017 | Photo courtesy of Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News A man was killed in a head-on collision on state Route 59 near Hildale, Utah, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017 | Photo courtesy of Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News A man was killed in a head-on collision on state Route 59 near Hildale, Utah, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017 | Photo courtesy of Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News
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