ST. GEORGE – A two-car crash occurred at the intersection of 600 West and Dixie Drive in St. George Friday afternoon after one of the vehicles ran a red light.
At about 2 p.m., a silver passenger car was headed westbound on Dixie Drive and stopped in the intersection, waiting to make a left turn onto 600 West as soon as the eastbound traffic had cleared. The car was still in the intersection when the light changed to red and was turning onto 600 West when it was hit in the right rear corner by an SUV heading east, St. George Police Officer Tyrell Bangerter said.
The impact sent the silver car up onto the sidewalk while the SUV came to a stop next to the sidewalk just west of the intersection. The silver car sustained visible back-end damage while the SUV had its right front wheel partially folded under it. (See ed. note)
There were initially conflicting stories regarding whether or not the light had been red at the time of the crash, Bangerter said. However, details of the incident were clarified by passing motorists who witnessed the event and remained on scene to fill out witness statements.
“We really do appreciate witnesses,” Bangerter said.
He added that anyone who witnesses an accident is encouraged to stay on scene and provide statements to police when they arrive.
Bangerter said the driver of the SUV allegedly admitted to being distracted by his watch when the crash occurred. The driver was subsequently cited for running a red light.
The SUV had to be towed from the scene. The silver car was operable despite the rear-end damage and was driven from the scene.
The drivers involved in the accident, the sole occupants of the vehicles, were unharmed.
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: Damaged wheel clarified.
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St George = world’s best drivers?
That is the RIGHT front wheel that is bent under, and the only one that could be damaged based on the text report.
You’re absolutely right, Dan — thanks for the comment. We’ll make that correction.
I have sat at that intersection and watched people run red lights all day lond. It is unreal….
St George motorists have vision problems. They can’t tell the difference between red and green. They can’t identify stop signs.
oooooooooops
Witnesses help clarify red light “rear ender” on Dixie Drive, would be a better description of this incident. “An accident” infers no one was at fault. The driver of the SUV allegedly admitted to being distracted by his watch, thereby turning an accident into a collision. I believe the words we choose impact people more than one would think. If we keep calling these encounters “accidents” people think “oh well it was just an accident, no one was at fault I’ll keep scrolling”. But if we call it something more descriptive like, a smashup, wreck, crash, or fender bender, people will think “oh a smashup, I better read about this” and then when they read it, will think to themselves, “I better not be distracted by my watch, or I could be involved in a smashup.” I’m no grammar or spelling Nazi but, I do think in this kind of calamity, the words you choose can be powerful; descriptive words equals more readers, and may warn others of the dangers or hazards of driving, thereby preventing others from making the same mistake. Please take this in the spirit in which it was intended, I mean no disrespect, just trying to help, we’re all in this together. 🙂
Reader,
I don’t disagree with your message. Drivers need to take more responsibility and be more alert. However one definition of “accidental” I read from a dictionary is “an undesirable or unfortunate happening that occurs unintentionally.” So I think they are accidents, despite generally being avoidable by paying more attention.
Yea sure he was distracted by his watch. I wasn’t there but probably a cellphone was involved.