ST. GEORGE – Traffic was disrupted on St. George Boulevard at the new diverging diamond interchange in St. George after an accident occurred in the westbound lane at around 6:20 p.m. on Thursday.
A woman driving a black Mazda ran into the rear of a large white GMC pickup truck after the the truck stopped for the light at the interchange, St. George Police Officer Chad Lee said.
While the accident appeared to cause only superficial damages to the rear bumper of the pickup, the Mazda sustained significant damages from the impact. The front bumper of the Mazda apparently passed beneath the rear of the truck, focusing the energy of the impact into the hood, resulting in damage to the engine of the car.
After interviewing witnesses, Lee said, it did not appear that speed or distracted driving caused the accident.
“Something occurred to where she just didn’t realize the distance and the speed between the vehicles,” Lee said.
Gold Cross Ambulance Service responded to the accident scene as a precaution, however none of the parties appeared to be injured. The St. George Fire Department assisted in clearing the fluids which had leaked onto the roadway.
The driver of the Mazda was cited for following too closely. Her car was was towed from the scene.
This report is based on preliminary information provided by the police and may not contain the full scope of findings.
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Vehicle accident at St. George Boulevard near I-15 overpass, St. George, Utah, Dec. 26, 2013 | Photo by Michael Flynn, St. George News
Vehicle accident at St. George Boulevard near I-15 overpass, St. George, Utah, Dec. 26, 2013 | Photo by Michael Flynn, St. George News
Vehicle accident at St. George Boulevard near I-15 overpass, St. George, Utah, Dec. 26, 2013 | Photo by Michael Flynn, St. George News
Vehicle accident at St. George Boulevard near I-15 overpass, St. George, Utah, Dec. 26, 2013 | Photo by Michael Flynn, St. George News
Vehicle accident at St. George Boulevard near I-15 overpass, St. George, Utah, Dec. 26, 2013 | Photo by Michael Flynn, St. George News
Ed. correction: The accident occurred westbound, not eastbound as first published.
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- St. George Boulevard-I-15-Exit 8 diverging diamond interchange now open
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- Accidents on St. George Boulevard, 3050 East result in medical transport
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” it did not appear that speed or distracted driving caused the accident.”
yeah maybe she rammed into it on purpose huh? LOL
the article says she was following too closely. regardless of speed or distraction, following too close delayed her reaction time. “SCIENCE!”
She may have just flew into a fit of rage and rammed it also…not sure we can know 🙂
You just knew this would happen sooner or later. This diamond interchange is very confusing.
I drove by this accident. It wasn’t even in the diverging diamond whatever – it was actually almost at the light at 1000 east Blvd. I doubt the bass-ackwards interchange had anything to do with it.
The first time I drove through that new mess they made on SGB…I said, whoever made this plan is on crack. That is the worst, I don’t know what to call it, uh intersection. Someone out of town is going to drive on the wrong side of the road which would be the right side of the road, if the whole thing wasn’t backwards. I avoid that as much as possible- crackheads!!!
I was trying to figure out how the thing cost 16 million dollars… maybe there’s a lesson to be learned here 🙂
The ‘8’ configuration is reminiscent of a badly planned house addition…it looks like someone said ‘oh, just stick it there’. I personally think it’s nuts. But, the single advantage of it is that drivers exiting I-15 can actually make a left hand turn on a red light…so there’s no backlog of traffic that might get stuck on the freeway. One more instance of STG trying to look like a major city while being a small one.
This intersection might have been justified at a major airport or Disneyland…it just doesn’t work where it sits. You gotta know that somewhere, someone connected to project is pointing to it as a resume line-item…showing they should be hired by a higher-traffic department, ala Los Angeles. Nothing ese makes sense.
The build cost $16mil, the demo and fix will probably cost $20mil.
Im from out of town and when we were there a few weeks ago managed just fine! As long as you pay attention its no big deal
Yup, the interchange caused her to rear end a big truck stopped at a red light. Glad that couldn’t happen at any other red light.
accident reports. fascinating.
yes. i agree.
Whoever designed that intersection should go drink themselves stupid.
Why are stgeorgeutah.com articles always getting mixed up with directions and locations? If you look at the photo of the big green sign pointing in the direction of eastbound St. George Blvd., you can clearly see that this vehicle was not headed eastbound, but rather westbound. And it seems from the photo and from the eyewitness report that the traffic light where the accident occurred was outside of the diverging diamond intersection.
This is a chronic problem with your articles. You need to hire reporters who know the local area and who understand directions, addresses, etc. in order to accurately and helpfully report the news.
Are you going to do something about this ongoing problem?
You are right, Steve, and the correction is made.
What am I going to do? Address it of course. But I’ll take the flogging, I should have caught it, it’s on me and I do, seriously, recognize the details matter. I apologize.
ST. GEORGE NEWS | STGnews.com
Joyce Kuzmanic
Editor in Chief
Jeez Steve, don’t get your undies in a twist.
Wow, it is funny just how many people don’t understand how things work … The interchange work that was completed is GREAT. Traffic flows so much better and everyone can navigate the interchange very easy. For those ,who have made comments here either can not drive or are completely stupid . I’m guessing both . As for the drivers not from this area , I think they will be able to drive this area with ease, compaired to the local drivers. It is funny how very few drivers don’t even pay attention to highway signs any more. For those who wonder why the cost is 16 Million …. Lets see , the bridge was widened . that doesn’t come cheaply . newer traffic signals , new pavement ..etc . and of course all the landscaping that the city wanted . I recently was driving behing a student driver education vehicle ,and the driver navigated the interchange like an experienced driver. So with all this , I’m guessing all of the comments here are posted by people who can NOT drive ,or have other issues . May everyone have a GREAT 2014
It’s funny how you call people stupid, yet your post is filled with spelling and punctuation errors.
Here we go again. A reporter who doesn’t like a DDI tries to malign it with an accident that was not even connected to it.
First, this accident had NOTHING to do with the figure 8 intersection.
Second, This intersection was a fantastic idea and i love it! My first time on it was confusing I admit. But once I realized what it did, I wish more intersections were like it.
Third, to those who don’t understand the expense of the intersection construction, it is NOT cheap to add another lane to an existing overpass and essentially redo nearly everything.
People need to open up to change. Yes, the intersection is different and it is weird to drive in a manor that we have all been taught was the wrong thing to do. But anyone who actually uses this intersection and understands it should immediately recognize that it is by far a better design for a congested space. I used to avoid this exit as much as possible because it was always congested and took to long to get through. Now, traffic moves more quickly and smoothly. So I use it all the time.
I agree. I love the new interchange. It flows flawlessly and it’s just down-right fun! Come on St. George residents, embrace a little change. But for those haters, stay away from the interchange so those of us who appreciate it won’t have to put up with your poor driving skills.
You’ll be glad to know, I avoid it as much as possible!!! Been on it twice. It made me sick once because it was awkward and against what I’ve been taught, the second time was not so bad but I’ll try to avoid a third time and let you have your fun!
OMG (short for “oh my goodness”), you got sick? Really? You obviously are one of the problems with the drivers on our roads. Please do everyone a favor and take the bus or a cab. Also, are you really at an age where you can no longer learn? Did your learning end when you left school? If so, that is sad. Studies show that leaning something new keeps the brain young. Go on now, challenge those neurons and keep an open mind.
Old biligerent bitter betty!
It was all his fault! He STOPPED for a light! He must be from out of town! Everybody knows you don’t stop for red lights in St. George! And lets also blame it on the new road! But darn him, HE STOPPED in front of me!
We really do need red light cameras here. It’s an epidemic.