ST. GEORGE – A four-vehicle accordion-style collision on River Road in St. George Thursday morning was allegedly caused by a 17-year-old driver who accelerated at a red light instead of stopping.
The crash happened at about 8:38 a.m., St. George Police Sgt. Sam Despain said, when the four vehicles were all southbound on River Road.
A gray Subaru and an orange Jeep were stopped at a red light at 1450 South, Despain said, and a white Subaru was in the process of coming to a stop when it was struck from behind by a Honda SUV driven by a 17-year-old boy.
“ … for whatever reason (the driver) thought that the light had changed and decided to accelerate,” Despain said, “when, in fact, the light had not changed.”
The Honda SUV smashed into the back of the white Subaru, which was pushed into the orange Jeep. The Jeep was then pushed into the back of the gray Subaru.
“Kind of a chain reaction,” Despain said.
The 17-year-old boy was issued a citation for “unsafe movement from a stopped position,” Despain said, adding: “We felt that was the code that best fit the circumstances.”
The Honda SUV had to be towed, but the other three vehicles sustained only minor damage and were driven from the scene. No injuries were reported.
Despain advises drivers to use caution while driving.
“Pay attention to your driving and what’s around you,” he said. “If cars are stopped in front of you, keep a safe following distance.”
This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.
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A 17-year-old driver triggers a four-car pileup Thursday morning, St. George, Utah, Dec. 3, 2015 | Photo by Julie Applegate, St. George News
A 17-year-old driver triggers a four-car pileup Thursday morning, St. George, Utah, Dec. 3, 2015 | Photo by Julie Applegate, St. George News
A 17-year-old driver triggers a four-car pileup Thursday morning, St. George, Utah, Dec. 3, 2015 | Photo by Julie Applegate, St. George News
A 17-year-old driver triggers a four-car pileup Thursday morning, St. George, Utah, Dec. 3, 2015 | Photo by Julie Applegate, St. George News
A 17-year-old driver triggers a four-car pileup Thursday morning, St. George, Utah, Dec. 3, 2015 | Photo by Julie Applegate, St. George News
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