Woman injured in I-15 rollover; Snuggles the cat lost in Leeds

I-15 SB rollover at MP 22, Leeds, Utah, Jan. 21, 2014 | Photo by UHP Trooper Mark Cooper, St. George News

LEEDS – A white Chevy Malibu rolled over and landed upside down on Interstate 15 southbound at mile post 22 near the Leeds exit at 3:10 p.m. Tuesday.

Joann Forrest, about 71 years old, was driving from Salt Lake City on her way to Las Vegas where she was moving, Utah Highway Patrol Trooper Mark Cooper said.

“She had her cruise control on and got distracted – not in the regular form of distracted – but trying to get her cruise control shut off,” Cooper said, “she lost control, went off the west shoulder and rolled over.”

Summer Kirby was traveling I-15 at the time. “It looked like a really bad accident,” Kirby said, “the car was completely flipped over.”

Forrest was wearing her seatbelt, Cooper said, and suffered what appeared to be only minor injuries. She was transported by ambulance to Dixie Regional Medical Center. At 7:30 p.m. Cooper said that he had been advised by Forrest’s daughter that the hospital is keeping her overnight for observation.

Forrest was traveling alone with two cats and a dog. One of the cats ran away, and the other cat and the dog were taken to Zion Veterinary Clinic which agreed to tend to the pets for two nights. “They were OK,” Cooper said of the dog and cat. Forrest said she planned to return to the area to search for her other cat Wednesday, he said. Ambulance personnel on scene who live in Leeds said they would go looking for the cat Tuesday evening.

The missing cat is an older male, tan with charcoal and his name is Snuggles. If anyone finds Snuggles, please contact Zion Veterinary Clinic in Hurricane at telephone 435-635-4033.

There were no other vehicles involved in the accident, and no citations issued. The Malibu was off the shoulder, out of traffic lanes and there was no significant impact on traffic flow.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2014, all rights reserved.

I-15 SB rollover at MP 22, Leeds, Utah, Jan. 21, 2014 | Photo by UHP Trooper Mark Cooper, St. George News
I-15 SB rollover at MP 22, Leeds, Utah, Jan. 21, 2014 | Photo by UHP Trooper Mark Cooper, St. George News

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9 Comments

  • bub January 21, 2014 at 8:17 pm

    wow, that looks bad.

  • debbie January 22, 2014 at 8:02 am

    would be so grateful to know when and if they find snuggles or i will always be on the lookout for him. thx.

    • Avatar photo Joyce Kuzmanic January 22, 2014 at 9:15 am

      Thank you for your kindness, debbie –
      There are posts in our Facebook thread on this story that say Snuggles was found and cared for through the night. We are looking to confirm that the cat found is Snuggles. We’ll let you know when we’re sure.
      ST. GEORGE NEWS | STGnews.com
      Joyce Kuzmanic
      Editor in Chief

  • Laurel Peine January 22, 2014 at 5:34 pm

    I was a responder at the accident and have been looking for Snuggles. I talked with Joanne’s daughter today. Snuggles has not been found. He was believed to have been seen in the Harrisburg area around 11 am Wed.

  • Michel January 23, 2014 at 8:38 am

    We have been searching the west side of I-15 near Harrisburg. Do you know if the possible sighting was on the east side of I-15 or the direction he ran from the accident?

    • Avatar photo Joyce Kuzmanic January 23, 2014 at 10:40 am

      Hey Michel, all we really know is that Ms. Forrest’s car rolled going southbound on I-15 at milepost 22. Where Snuggles headed, we simply don’t know. But Ms. Forrest and her daughter are in contact with us, if we learn anything, we’ll post.
      Thank you for your kindness – Ms. Forrest was very touched at the kindness of people trying to help. She is still in the hospital this morning, Thursday, her daughter said, but hopes to get out and go looking herself today.

      ST. GEORGE NEWS | STGnews
      Joyce Kuzmanic
      Editor in Chief

  • Deanna January 23, 2014 at 6:45 pm

    I met Ms. Forrest this evening when I let my dogs out. She was out in front of my house by the CCC Camp looking for Snuggles. Snuggles has NOT been found. My husband, a firefighter, took her down to Harrisburg as she is certain that she was across from the KOA when her car flipped. My daughter and I passed the flipped car just as the tow truck arrived on Tuesday as we were heading into town, but I cannot remember exactly where the accident occurred. I am so grateful she is OK. She is just so worried about her kitty. We feed the feral cats around here – as do some of our neighbors. If Snuggles gets hungry, there will be food and water and shelter on our deck for him. We have also put a piece of Ms. Forrest’s clothing out there hoping that the wind will carry her scent tonight and Snuggles will come searching for his person. Our family will be praying for Snuggles’ safe return and Ms. Forrest’s complete healing.

  • Michel January 24, 2014 at 10:38 am

    Deanna it is wonderful what you are doing. We have walked the area along the side of I-15 from the parking area for the White Reef Trail of the Red Cliffs Recreational Area. We walked it at night with flashlights and during the day looking in rock caves and trees. Mile marker 20 to 22. We called out to Snuggles the whole time and saw nothing. Are the flyers posted in your area and in Harrisburg? We pray that he will be found soon and reunited with Joann.

  • Chasidy January 24, 2014 at 1:45 pm

    I live in Leeds would love to help with snuggles also been watching and letting all my friends know I feed some stray cats to pray for his safe return

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