HILDALE – Authorities have released the name of the woman killed in a multi-vehicle collision near Hildale Tuesday night.
Rachel Cawley, of Centennial Park, Arizona, was killed when the black Infinity SUV she drove was in a head-on collision with a white Audi passenger car on state Route 59 near milepost 3, according to a statement from the Utah Highway Patrol released Wednesday afternoon.
Around 9:23 p.m., the Audi, driven by a 16-year-old male from the Hildale area, was eastbound on SR-59 when the driver attempted to pass a white GMC pickup ahead of it, UHP Trooper Jesse Williams said at the scene Tuesday.
The Infinity and a Chrysler minivan following behind it were westbound in relatively the same spot at the same time.
“The driver of the white Audi moved into the on-coming travel lane and clipped the rear of the pickup. The white Audi then struck the black Infinity in an off-centered, head-on collision,” the UHP said in the statement. “The driver of the Chrysler minivan steered left, in an effort to avoid the collision, but the white Audi rotated into the path of the Chrysler minivan and was struck by the minivan.”
Cawley was pronounced dead at the scene and had to have her body extricated from the Infinity by firefighters.
The 16-year-old boy was taken to Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George in critical condition, while the occupants of the minivan, a mother and her young child, were transported with minor injuries.
The accident shutdown both lanes of travel on the two-lane highway for over two hours, and eventually cleared by 12:50 a.m. Wednesday.
The Infinity, Audi and minivan received significant damage and had to be towed from the scene.
“Drugs or alcohol are not suspected to be a factor in the crash,” the UHP said.
Multiple agencies responded to the crash and included units from the Utah Highway Patrol, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado City-Hildale Marshal’s Office, Hurricane Valley Fire District, Colorado City Fire Department and the Utah Department of Transportation.
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Speed and negligence is the cause. The 16 yr old is in critical condition. Will St George news update us on his condition? Or will this news story be over with in a day or two and on to the next accident?
Is there a #fundraiser for the victim
s family?
(If I judge this case by using a past incident, then this town will get a #fundraiser going for the 16yr old)
Edited per LBA’s request.
Very sad. Condolences to those involved and their families. People drive like maniacs on that stretch of road.
I seldom drive that way without a cringe-worthy, blood pressure raising moment when some impatient #$%^&* either tries to drive up my exhaust pipe for 5 miles or passes at a dangerous time, and I’m usually doing 5 – 8 over at the time.
People just need to exhale, slow down, and enjoy the scenery.