HURRICANE — A 22-year-old man riding a motorcycle was transported to Dixie Regional Medical Center in serious condition Thursday after a collision with a vehicle in Hurricane.
Just after 5:30 p.m. emergency personnel were dispatched to 2600 W. State Street, Hurricane Police Sgt. Brandon Buell said, where officers found the eastbound lanes blocked with traffic at a standstill.
Officers diverted eastbound traffic into a single lane, using the center lane of State Street to clear the blockage and allow for cars to move past the crash site. The injured motorcycle rider, who was wearing a helmet and protective clothing, was transported to the hospital in serious condition.
“Without that helmet and protective clothing, it could have been so much worse,” Buell said.
According to witness statements, a 16-year-old male driving a 2001 Toyota Camry was stopped on the north side of 2600 West and State Street. As the teenager pulled out to cross State Street to reach the southern section of 2600 West, he drove directly in front of a 2016 Yamaha traveling east toward downtown Hurricane.
The man riding the Yamaha was unable to stop or even avoid the collision, crashing into the Toyota’s rear passenger side. The impact threw the rider straight into the air, Buell said.
The teen driver told police he thought he had a clear route across State Street, but failed to see the motorcycle headed his way, Buell said.
“There isn’t a lot of visibility on that corner, particularly during heavy traffic,” Buell said. “It would be a very difficult maneuver to make it straight across to the other side.”
An investigation into the crash is ongoing. No citations have yet been issued, Buell said.
Traffic was backed up for approximately 40 minutes while emergency personnel tended to the scene.
Hurricane City Police Department and Hurricane Valley Fire and Rescue 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.
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