UPDATE: Search called off in fatal scooter accident

Stock image | St. George News

ST. GEORGE – The 18-year-old man involved in a scooter collision on 700 South in the area of 900 East in St. George Tuesday morning has died after succumbing to his injuries, St. George Police Sgt. Sam Despain confirmed Tuesday afternoon. Though police were initially seeking the driver of a vehicle that had stopped to render aid at the accident scene, that search has been called off for undisclosed reasons.

When medical personnel arrived on scene following the incident, the 18-year-old scooter rider was not breathing and had sustained head injuries after being struck by a vehicle at approximately 6:50 a.m., according to a statement released by the St. George Police Department.

Preliminary information about the accident suggests the scooter driver was traveling east on 700 South and had just traveled under the Interstate 15 overpass when the he lost control of the scooter and began to slide in the travel lane, the police statement said.

The scooter was in the outside travel lane, closest to the curb, and came to rest in the same lane. The rider was dislodged from the scooter and was in, or close to, the adjacent travel lane.

A vehicle that approached the scooter stopped and turned on its hazard lights. Another vehicle approaching the scene passed the car and struck the downed scooter rider, the police statement said.

The driver that struck the scooter remained on scene and cooperated with investigators. However, the motorist that stopped and turned on hazard lights left the scene prior to officers being able to interview the person.

Investigators were trying to identify the motorist who stopped and turned on hazard lights earlier in the day Tuesday. However, just before 5 p.m. Tuesday, Despain said, they were no longer looking for any cars possibly involved in the incident but would not elaborate as to whether the car had been located.

Police have not released the identity of the teen or the contributing factors that led to him losing control and falling off his scooter prior to being hit by the passing car.

This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement as the investigation continues. It may not contain the full scope of findings.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2015, all rights reserved.

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9 Comments

  • ladybugavenger January 27, 2015 at 8:29 pm

    Condolences to the family and the driver involved. Prayers are with you and your family’s.

  • Simone January 27, 2015 at 8:44 pm

    May he or she rest in peace. ♥

  • practicedefensivedrivibg January 27, 2015 at 9:15 pm

    When someone turns their hazard lights on, that means something isn’t right. Sometimes I think people are so self absorbed in their own life and agenda, they ignore their surroundings. What a senseless death.

  • truthhurts January 27, 2015 at 9:52 pm

    18 year old died today because of our …* St. George drivers…. and yet those same …* are still driving around free as a bird. I think its time for St. George police to crack down and start writing tickets for every infraction seen and make it for the maximum amount. They are too lax in this small city! People need to learn how to plan ahead and not be in a rush to get to places. I hope the family finds peace and justice for what happened today.
    Ed. ellipses: …*

    • One for the road January 28, 2015 at 9:10 am

      And you need to take a chill pill and mellow out and seek some professional anger management

  • TODRYT January 27, 2015 at 10:33 pm

    Yes this has been a tragic day for the family and all concerned about the driver of the scooter its a shame that from time to time we loose a loved one and we think about the days of past that was spent with that person. but our lives continue on and keeping the lost ones in memories of the past which you will have with you each day.

  • Bender January 27, 2015 at 11:43 pm

    Poor headline wording. How about “Search for Witness Called Off in Fatal Scooter Accident”?

    • One for the road January 28, 2015 at 9:11 am

      Bender yeah I agree with you 100%

  • My Evil Twin January 28, 2015 at 9:45 am

    How sad this is. Condolences to the young man’s family.

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