3-vehicle crash flips car and injures 2 teens on River Road

ST. GEORGE — Two teens were transported to the hospital following a three-vehicle crash on River Road Saturday that left damage and debris in a busy intersection with an upside down passenger car in the middle of the chaotic scene.

Gold Chevrolet Equinox flips upside-down with four teens inside on Brigham Road during 3-vehicle crash Saturday, St. George, Utah, Aug. 19, 2017 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News

Shortly before 6 p.m. officers and emergency personnel were dispatched to the incident at the intersection of Brigham Road and South River Road that involved two single-occupant vehicles, a silver Nissan 4-door and a purple Subaru Forester. Four teenagers were in the third vehicle, a gold Chevrolet Equinox.

Upon arrival responders found the Subaru in the middle of the intersection facing west, while the Nissan was in the left turn lane of Brigham Road facing east. The Chevrolet was upside down in the lane next to the Nissan, St. George Police officer Ken Childs said.

Two passengers in the Chevrolet were checked by medical personnel at the scene, and after the teens’ parents arrived, they were transported to Dixie Regional Medical Center by ambulance.

“Luckily there were only minor injuries. Two of the kids were transported to get checked out at the request of their parents,” Childs said.

Purple Subaru Forester is damaged during 3-vehicle crash in intersection of South River Road and Brigham Road Saturday, St. George, Utah, Aug. 19, 2017 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News

The investigation into the crash revealed that the Chevrolet was headed north on River Road and, after approaching the intersection, the driver merged into the left turn lane to head west on Brigham Road.

Meanwhile, the Subaru was heading south on River Road and struck the Chevrolet as it passed directly into the Subaru’s lane of travel while making the turn, Childs said.

The impact spun the Subaru around until it came to rest facing west in the middle of the intersection, while the Chevrolet flipped over landing upside down before it went sliding into the Nissan waiting in the left turn lane for a green light.

Both drivers in the Subaru and Nissan were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash, while the four teens in the Chevrolet were unrestrained during the rollover. None of the vehicle’s occupants were ejected during the crash.

Gold Chevrolet Equinox flips upside-down on Brigham Road during 3-vehicle crash Saturday, St. George, Utah, Aug. 19, 2017 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News

The Nissan sustained frontal damage but remained operational and was driven from the scene, while the Subaru and Chevrolet were extensively damaged and towed from the roadway.

The 17-year-old driver of the Chevrolet was cited for failing to yield on a left turn, Childs said.

The outside lane of Brigham Road was blocked by the crash and traffic was diverted into the left-turn lane for more than 45 minutes while responders tended to the scene.

St. George Police and Fire departments, Gold Cross Ambulance and Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded to the crash.

This report is based on statements from police or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.

Update: The time the crash was reported was listed as shortly before 5 p.m., and has been corrected.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2017, all rights reserved.

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10 Comments

  • old school August 19, 2017 at 11:46 pm

    Desert High teens again?????

    • Anthony August 20, 2017 at 1:47 pm

      No. Kids from mill creek

  • comments August 20, 2017 at 12:02 am

    So not even 1 in 4 had the sense to buckle up? Idiots.

    • MaKenzie August 20, 2017 at 12:28 pm

      We were all wearing our seat belts except one.

      • comments August 20, 2017 at 1:30 pm

        proud of u, kiddos! drive more carefully next time, huh? 😉

      • comments August 20, 2017 at 2:47 pm

        LDS parents think up the most adorable names–MaKenzie with a capitol K. I love it. no joke

        • comments August 20, 2017 at 2:50 pm

          I googled the name MaKenzie, it brought up a twitter of a young girl who is very very LDS. That you?. 😉

  • beacon August 20, 2017 at 10:32 am

    There are so many atrocious drivers around here, many of them young people and even moms with kids (!) who are driving like they are Nascar wannabes – speeding, passing in and out of lanes, tailgating. Where did they learn this? From their folks? Do they think their little lives are that much more important that they must hurry and take chances to get where they’re going putting themselves and others at risk? I’m amazed there are not more serious injuries than there are. Particularly people with kids in the car should be ashamed!

    • Anthony August 20, 2017 at 1:49 pm

      Why did you take time to write that comment it’s completely irrelevant. You don’t know the circumstances you don’t know what they were thinking. I, on the other hand do, they are 4 of my best friend I don’t know what I would’ve done if they had died. So please keep your opinion to yourself, thanks 🙂

    • ladybugavenger August 20, 2017 at 4:17 pm

      Yeah beacon, Anthony can read his friends minds. So shhhhhh. lol

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