Teen girl dies as result of crash near entrance to Arches National Park

A teenage girl from Texas died Saturday as the result of a two-vehicle crash near the entrance to Arches National Park, Moab, Utah, May 14, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — A teenage girl from Texas died Saturday as the result of a two-vehicle collision near the entrance to Arches National Park in Moab.

A teenage girl from Texas died Saturday as the result of a two-vehicle crash near the entrance to Arches National Park, Moab, Utah, May 14, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News
A teenage girl from Texas died Saturday as the result of a two-vehicle crash near the entrance to Arches National Park, Moab, Utah, May 14, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News

The crash occurred Saturday around 1:41 p.m. at the intersection of state Route 191 and Arches Scenic Drive near the entrance of the park.

A 2012 Jeep CJ was stopped at a stop sign and waiting to turn south onto SR-191 from Arches Scenic Drive, according to a media statement issued by the Utah Highway Patrol. At the same time, a white 2013 Toyota Rav4 with four occupants was northbound in the right lane of SR-191.

When the driver of the Jeep attempted the turn onto SR-191, the Rav4 struck the Jeep broadside, causing the Jeep to overturn, troopers stated in the report, while the Rav4 spun and came to a stop in the roadway.

Two adults – Holly Greening, 36, and Jessica Pittman, 25, – and a 5-year-old girl inside the Rav4 were properly restrained and suffered minor injuries, according to authorities.

The fourth occupant in the Rav4, 15-year-old Hanna Greening, was believed to be wearing her seat belt incorrectly, according to the UHP statement. She was transported to St. Mary’s hospital in Colorado where she later died from injuries she sustained in the crash.

A teenage girl from Texas died Saturday as the result of a two-vehicle crash near the entrance to Arches National Park, Moab, Utah, May 14, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News
A teenage girl from Texas died Saturday as the result of a two-vehicle crash near the entrance to Arches National Park, Moab, Utah, May 14, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News

All four occupants of the Rav4 are reportedly from San Angelo, Texas.

The two occupants of the Jeep, both of Evansville, Wyoming, were taken to the hospital as a result of the crash. The driver of the Jeep, Adrian Najera, 26, was wearing a seat belt but the Jeep passenger, Cody Lakner, 27, was not.

“Both were injured,” troopers said, “but are expected survive and have been admitted to Moab Regional Hospital.”

Neither alcohol, drugs nor excessive speed were believed to be factors in the crash, according to UHP.

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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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2016, all rights reserved.

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