Two cars collided head-on Wednesday on SR-59, but thanks to seat belts, no one was injured. Apple Valley, Utah, Jan. 13, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Trooper Jesse Williams, Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News
APPLE VALLEY — In a testament to the use of seat belts, 3 people walked away uninjured from a head-on collision on state Route 59 Wednesday.
A red Mazda was traveling west on SR-59 when it attempted to pass a vehicle with a trailer attached, Utah Highway Patrol Trooper Jesse Williams said. “It didn’t have enough room to get back over, and went head-on into a Lexus that was coming eastbound.”
The combined speed of the vehicles when they collided was estimated to be 80 mph, Williams said.
Two occupants of the Lexus were taken to Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George, where they were checked and released with no injuries. The driver of the Mazda refused treatment at the scene.
“They were all wearing seat belts,” Williams said, “and that’s why they walked away from this crash.”
The driver of the Mazda was cited for improper passing. Both cars were towed from the scene with major front-end damage.
Units from the Utah Highway Patrol, Colorado City Fire and Rescue, Arizona DPS, and Apple Valley’s Smithsonian Fire Department responded to the crash.
This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.
Click on photo to enlarge it, then use your left-right arrow keys to cycle through the gallery.
Two cars collided head-on Wednesday on SR-59, but thanks to seat belts, no one was injured. Apple Valley, Utah, Jan. 13, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Trooper Jesse Williams, Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News
Two cars collided head-on Wednesday on SR-59, but thanks to seat belts, no one was injured. Apple Valley, Utah, Jan. 13, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Trooper Jesse Williams, Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News
Two cars collided head-on Wednesday on SR-59, but thanks to seat belts, no one was injured. Apple Valley, Utah, Jan. 13, 2016 | Photo by Ric Wayman, St. George News
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2016, all rights reserved.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
"I wrote my first word when I was very young. I enjoyed this so much I decided to write many more words."
A native of Pacific Palisades, Calif., Ric was bitten by the news bug as a staff writer and associate editor of the Palisades High School Tideline. After school he entered the media as a radio personality, both playing music and reporting news. Ric moved to St. George in the 1980s and was the morning personality on all three major AM stations in town. An avid amateur radio operator, Ric is looking for a good band to play in, as he plays keyboards, bass and guitar. Ric, who currently is working on developing a lifestyle that doesn't require his presence, lives in the center of St. George with his partner Terri, two snoring dogs and too many neurotic cats.
Laws of Physics wise, a combined speed of 80 mph is equal to a total speed of 40 mph – each car pushes on the other with equal and opposite force, making it the same as hitting an immovable brick wall at 40 mph.
One car going 40 and the other going 40 makes the impact the same as each car going… 40. One car going 30 and the other going 50, makes it the same as each car going 40. Etc…
would like to hope that all unnecessary comments that are placed just to offend for no apparent reason jump back in their owners mouth and they choke on them.
really? we got people that dedicate their lives to running towards possibly exploding cars.. and thats the best you got? just because someone comes from a society where crazy crap has happened doesn’t mean they are crazy too.. dang, have you see the rest of the world lately? its not all that perfect either. sux to go to comments to make sure everyone is ok incase there was any updates and you gotta see insults flying. dang. i wish ppl would quit picking on all them.
If you look closely, the “plig” is actually an emergency responder (EMT?). She has blue gloves and an coat for the job. The drivers could be from anywhere. We really shouldn’t profile, should we?
This is a dangerous road. I have never seen so many people passing in no passing zones and passing with cars coming. It’s one thing to kill or maim yourself because you are an inconsiderate jerk, but sadly, other lives are put in harms way as well. We have narrowly avoided several bad accidents caused by dangerous drivers speeding and passing illegally. I am told the sheriff’s department is considering putting a full time deputy on 59 between Hurricane and Colorado City and funding it with $$ from tickets. I certainly hope that is true and it happens.
u would like to hope the pligs are better at driving than they are at keeping their kids away from pedophiles… who knows…
Seriously? Wut an You named yourself, frikin Idiot???. Shut up
TRUMP FOR PRESIDENT !
See these as close calls consistently on this road. Everyones time is more important than the person in front of them. Lucky people here.
Laws of Physics wise, a combined speed of 80 mph is equal to a total speed of 40 mph – each car pushes on the other with equal and opposite force, making it the same as hitting an immovable brick wall at 40 mph.
One car going 40 and the other going 40 makes the impact the same as each car going… 40. One car going 30 and the other going 50, makes it the same as each car going 40. Etc…
The kinetic energy is a function of velocity squared, so 30 mph + 50 mph is more energy than 40+ 40.
I’m just concerned about the cars. I hope they can be saved .it’s not the cars fault it’s being driven by some A Hole
would like to hope that all unnecessary comments that are placed just to offend for no apparent reason jump back in their owners mouth and they choke on them.
really? we got people that dedicate their lives to running towards possibly exploding cars.. and thats the best you got? just because someone comes from a society where crazy crap has happened doesn’t mean they are crazy too.. dang, have you see the rest of the world lately? its not all that perfect either. sux to go to comments to make sure everyone is ok incase there was any updates and you gotta see insults flying. dang. i wish ppl would quit picking on all them.
I Hope Debbie chokes on her comment !
If you look closely, the “plig” is actually an emergency responder (EMT?). She has blue gloves and an coat for the job. The drivers could be from anywhere. We really shouldn’t profile, should we?
Vehicles are too dangerous! We need to ban ALL vehicles! This needs to be the big issue for 2016 presidential elections!!!!! This has to STOP!!!!
I’ve heard nothing but good things about Colorado City ambulance crew. They always give best professional care.
This is a dangerous road. I have never seen so many people passing in no passing zones and passing with cars coming. It’s one thing to kill or maim yourself because you are an inconsiderate jerk, but sadly, other lives are put in harms way as well. We have narrowly avoided several bad accidents caused by dangerous drivers speeding and passing illegally. I am told the sheriff’s department is considering putting a full time deputy on 59 between Hurricane and Colorado City and funding it with $$ from tickets. I certainly hope that is true and it happens.
TRUMP FOR PRESIDENT!!!
Just goes to show that 80 MPH saves lives
How ? could you elaborate on that ?
Because I Said So
Why ?