6-car chain reaction collision; 1 to hospital

ST. GEORGE — Unfamiliarity with a new traffic light, lots of traffic, and inattentiveness are being cited as factors in a six-car collision Tuesday on Brigham Road.

A Nissan Frontier driven by an 18-year-old male was traveling east on Brigham Road at Bloomington Hills Drive about 3 p.m. Tuesday when he came upon a line of stopped cars waiting for the new traffic signal at River Road, St. George Police Officer Lona Trombley said.

The man driving the Nissan Frontier did not notice that traffic had stopped and was backed up at the signal. He hit the back of a Hyundai Elantra while traveling about 35 mph, which started a chain reaction.

A 6-car collision sent a person to the hospital Tuesday. St. George, Utah, October 11, 2016 | Photo by Mike Cole, St. George News
A 6-car collision sent a person to the hospital Tuesday. St. George, Utah, October 11, 2016 | Photo by Mike Cole, St. George News

The Hyundai Elantra was pushed into the back of a Ford Focus, which was pushed into a Toyota Corolla.

It didn’t stop there. The Toyota Corolla was pushed into a Toyota Camry, which was then pushed into a Mazda.

The lone injury was to the 16-year-old driver of the Hyundai Elantra, Trombley said. He was transported to Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George with facial injuries.

Trombley said the driver of the Nissan Frontier was cited for negligent collision.

Trombley said the new traffic signal at the intersection of Brigham Road and River Road is taking some time to get used to. She  said that traffic was getting backed up each day between 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. because of school letting out.

“Pay extra attention,” Trombley said. “Remember that new light is there at that intersection and slow down. Expect delays during extra traffic (conditions), such as when school lets out or prime traffic driving hours.”

Updated: 8:22 p.m. Corrected information on the crash location has been included in this story.

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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8 Comments

  • Lastdays October 11, 2016 at 7:52 pm

    This photo looks like traffic stopped for signal at Brigham & River Rd which has been there for about a year.
    But being unfamiliar with any signal is not the problem.
    Traffic in the lane being traveled can stop anywhere at any time.
    Plowing into the back of stopped traffic and messing up 5 innocent victims day is the result of very poor driving skills. Should have license revoked for several years.

    • DB October 12, 2016 at 4:12 pm

      The 18 year old driver who caused all this won’t be able to afford the increased insurance cost, problem solved.

  • SteveSGU October 11, 2016 at 8:02 pm

    It sure seems like we have a lot of inattentive 18-year-olds causing grief to innocent people around here. Do we need to restrict their driving privileges?

  • .... October 11, 2016 at 8:26 pm

    Oh my this is terrible at least only one injury was reported and it’s not life threatening. the automobiles can be repaired but what’s more important is that everyone will be home with their loved ones. Praise the Lord !

  • Paul October 12, 2016 at 7:00 am

    I travel that route daily to pick up a middle school student, and I have witnessed both morning and afternoon speeding and cutting off of drivers by HS students between Brigham and River Road. Extra patrol is definitely justified.

    • .... October 12, 2016 at 8:11 am

      Oh heck yes that’s a total circus in the am and later in the pm. Absolutely with the Xtra patrol !

    • Bob October 12, 2016 at 2:22 pm

      saint g barely does traffic patrols. thats why u see speeding, tailgating, etc everywhere here

      • .... October 13, 2016 at 4:10 am

        saint g barely does traffic patrols that’s why u see speeding, tailgating, etc everywhere here

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