Battery of emergency personnel respond to chaotic T-bone crash on Riverside Drive

Two ambulances respond to a two-vehicle crash on East Riverside Drive and South 270 East, St. George, Utah, Sept. 28, 2018 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — Two vehicles collided Friday morning at an intersection on Riverside Drive with enough force to send debris flying in all directions and to incapacitate both cars.

Officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel were dispatched to the two-vehicle crash at the intersection of East Riverside Drive and South 270 East involving a red Chevrolet Cruz and a maroon Ford Taurus.

Ford Taurus sustains extensive damage in a two-vehicle crash on East Riverside Drive and South 270 East, St. George, Utah, Sept. 28, 2018 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News

Police found both vehicles in the middle of the intersection and partially blocking traffic in multiple directions. Officers began directing traffic around the scene to alleviate the backup of vehicles and allow emergency workers to clear the crash, St. George Police Public Information Officer Tiffany Atkin said.

Meanwhile, two ambulance were dispatched to the scene due to the severity of the crash.

Officers determined from witness statements taken at the scene that the Ford was heading west on East Riverside Drive and attempted to make a left turn at the intersection of 270 East when it was struck by the Chevrolet heading east on the same street.

The Ford was struck on the passenger’s side of the vehicle, which crushed the side panel. The Chevrolet sustained extensive frontal damage consistent with a T-bone crash.

Red Chevrolet Cruz sustains extensive damage during a two-vehicle crash on East Riverside Drive and South 270 East, St. George, Utah, Sept. 28, 2018 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News

“The Ford was turning left to head south on Dixie Drive, which is what South 270 East becomes beyond that intersection, but the Ford didn’t have the right-of-way, the Chevy did,” Atkin said.

The drivers were checked by paramedics at the scene, but no serious injuries were reported and both drivers declined to be transported to the hospital, Atkin said.

A witness who works near that particular intersection said there have been other recent crashes in the general vicinity, and “most” occur when people are trying to get through the light, even if it has already turned red.

The witness also said that one such crash involved a driver that ran a red light and clipped the back of a semitractor-trailer which sent the car into a spin “right in the middle of the street,” he said.

Traffic was impacted for nearly 45 minutes, particularly on East 270 South, where lanes in both directions were completely blocked intermittently.

All occupants were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash, and both vehicles were rendered inoperable in the collision and subsequently towed from the scene. The Ford driver was later cited for failing to yield on a left turn and a second citation that was unrelated to the crash, Atkin said.

The St. George Police Department, St. George Fire Department and Gold Cross Ambulance responded and tended to the scene.

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

 

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2018, all rights reserved.

 

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7 Comments

  • georgie September 28, 2018 at 3:26 pm

    You have to wonder how many times this same scenario has to happen before St. George and the surrounding cities will change to turn only on green arrow. It seems that you are always taking your life in your hands when going through a intersection and somebody across the way is waiting to turn in front of you. It really shouldn’t be that hard to implement a turn only with green arrow.

    • Brian September 28, 2018 at 3:55 pm

      I hope never! Left turn on yield with a flashing yellow arrow is much more efficient and is plenty safe as long as people are paying attention (I’m referring to the person turning left, not the oncoming traffic going straight).

      • Kilroywashere September 28, 2018 at 4:59 pm

        “as long as people are paying attention” Well Brian, since minimally 35% for sure , FOR SURE, should I say that again For sure, are driving illegally distracted on their cellphones, that voids your argument at least 33% of the time. By the way T bone steaks are on sale at Smith’s this week for $5.99 Lb. Got to have your pink Smith’s card.

    • iceplant September 28, 2018 at 7:34 pm

      I feel like I’m taking my life in my own hands every single time I drive around here.
      My biggest beef is with the morons who think a stop sign is a yield sign. Oh, and, those drivers who think people on the inside of a roundabout don’t have the right-of-way. Utah is a dangerous place to drive. It gets worse the further North you travel.

  • mmsandie September 29, 2018 at 9:24 am

    That road is so busy and especially that light to turn and get on highway or Dixie dr.. I got that way to the hospitol but do not turn at that light because I,ve seen too many people backed up, and then 2-3 cars want to turn even though the light is red.. so many places in town, especially 700 s. And river rd.. people just keep going Thur the red light and I can,t make the left turn unto river rd when my light is green.. why not have cameras, take pics and send the bill to the driver or whoever 8s driving the car b6 license I’d..

  • Mike P September 29, 2018 at 11:45 am

    Just another Utah Left. Flashing yellow lights and left turn on green arrow only doesn’t negate bad driving. Geeze, pay attention people !

  • KR567 September 29, 2018 at 7:22 pm

    Back in time we were at the DMV in St George before it was moved. and there was a couple there and the husband was taking a written test and it was obvious he is illiterate. so his wife read the question and told him what to write down and how to spell it..
    a few weeks later we seen him driving a car as we were walking the mall parking lot….

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