Crash on SR-9 leads to conflicting statements and 1 question: Was the light yellow or red?

Two cars collide at the intersection of SR-9 and 1150 West injuring one driver Saturday, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 12, 2017 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News

HURRICANE — A driver was transported to the hospital after police say an SUV slammed into their passenger car in a busy intersection on state Route 9 Saturday afternoon, leaving officers to sort out the cause.

Black Hyundai is towed after sustaining significant damage in two-vehicle crash on SR-9 and 1150 West Saturday, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 12, 2017 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News

At approximately 12:20 p.m. officers and emergency responders were dispatched to a two-car collision at the intersection of SR-9 and 1150 West involving a white Jeep Grand Cherokee carrying four occupants and a black Hyundai passenger car with a single occupant.

When emergency personnel arrived they found an injured driver in the Hyundai who was treated at the scene for a possible arm injury before being transported to Dixie Regional Medical Center by ambulance, Hurricane Police Sgt. Yates Wright said.

After speaking to witnesses at the scene, officers determined that the Jeep was heading east on SR-9 and appeared to be traveling in the inside lane, Wright said.

Meanwhile, the westbound Hyundai driver was stopped in the left turn lane of the intersection waiting to make a left turn to head south on 1150 West.

Once the light changed, the Hyundai driver pulled forward and started into the left turn and was struck by the eastbound Jeep before the driver was able to clear the intersection. The impact sent the passenger car spinning in the eastbound lanes of travel.

Hurricane Valley Fire District responds to two-car crash at the intersection of SR-9 and 1150 West injuring one driver Saturday, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 12, 2017 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News

“There is still some discrepancy of whether the light was either yellow or red,” Wright said, “and we haven’t been able to make that determination yet.”

The Jeep was damaged during the crash but remained operational and was driven from the scene, while the Hyundai was extensively damaged and was towed from the intersection.

No citations were issued at the time this report was taken due to conflicting statements and ongoing investigation. Traffic was impeded for more than 45 minutes as responders removed debris and cleared the intersection.

The Hurricane Police Department and Hurricane Valley Fire District responded and tended to the scene, along with LaVerkin Police who were called in to assist.

This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement or first responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.

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4 Comments

  • jaltair August 12, 2017 at 9:30 pm

    The way the traffic lights are set up in the state of Utah, I’m not surprised.

    We saw an “almost” accident with two cars, one going West and one going East on Red Hills Parkwayway. The one going West made a left turn onto Skyline Drive and the car going East (green light and in front of us) nearly hit the car making the left turn.

    Just the next week, the same thing nearly happened to my husband and I as my husband attempted a left turn from Red Hills onto Skyline, we were on a green light.

    The cities in the areas need to check timing of lights or there will be more accidents and near misses.

    • comments August 13, 2017 at 11:19 am

      The lights are hardly the problem. It’s the culture of super agressive agressive driving and a “me first” entitlement complex. I’ll say it again: wait till the light is a solid red or longer to make the turn. Wait until YOU KNOW traffic is stopped. Blowing thru solid reds all the time is also part of the culture here.

      • comments August 13, 2017 at 11:21 am

        And only the cars in the intersection have the right-of-way to make the L turn after the light is yellow (or red)–NOT A LINE OF 6-8 CARS!!! So. UT drivers constantly amaze me with their stupidity.

  • Uncle Rico August 14, 2017 at 5:30 pm

    When I moved here from northern Utah, I had a sweet road bike but after about a year of dodging elderly drivers I gave up and sold the bike. I decided I want to see my grandkids grow up.

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