ST. GEORGE — A section of Interstate 15 near Toquerville was shut down Tuesday, causing a three-mile backup after an SUV towing a large, camping trailer lost control.
Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Larry Mower said the SUV was southbound in the left lane near mile marker 29 when the trailer started to sway. The driver merged into the right lane before colliding with the guardrail.
The trailer became unhitched from the SUV and rolled onto its left side and slid forward, into the left lane. The driver of the SUV was able to regain control of the vehicle and pulled into the left lane to reduce impact to traffic. There were four occupants in the vehicle.
Mower said initially it appeared no one was injured, but a passenger in the SUV – a 21-year-old man – was transported to the hospital with a possible broken leg.
The left lane heading south was closed for about one hour and traffic was backed up on for three miles while UHP cleared the scene.
Police do not suspect excessive speed was a factor in the accident, Mower said.
“Honestly, I’m not really sure why the trailer began to whip because they did have sway bars on it,” he said.
Mower expects there will be more trailers on the road and urges people to do an inspection of their vehicles and trailers before traveling.
This report is based on statements from police and witness accounts and may not contain the full scope of findings.
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews | @AvereeRyann
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2019, all rights reserved.