Semi blows tire, crashes off I-15 near Pintura

Written by Jeff Richards
October 3, 2020

ST. GEORGE — A semitractor-trailer crashed through a guardrail and tipped onto a steep shoulder of Interstate 15 Saturday.

The incident reportedly happened around 11:30 a.m. on northbound I-15 near Pintura, just north of Exit 31.

Utah Highway Patrol Trooper Jim Jessop told St. George News the semi, which was carrying a fully-loaded trailer, had been traveling in the right lane when one of its front tires blew out.

“I’ve got a couple of separate witnesses that are claiming that he blew out a tire on that front right corner and it just pulled him off the road,” Jessop told St. George News at the scene. “He took out about 400 feet of guardrail and then just overturned here on the shoulder.”

Although the driver did not report any serious injuries, he was transported to the hospital for evaluation. 

“They extricated him out through the front window, but by all accounts he’s going to be fine,” Jessop said.

Scene of a single-vehicle crash involving a semitractor-trailer on Interstate 15 near Pintura, Washington County, Utah, Oct. 3, 2020 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News

The heavily damaged semi and its trailer both appeared to be a total loss. However, it’s possible that least some of the cargo may be salvageable. The trailer was filled with boxes containing what appeared to be clothing items and other nonperishable consumer goods.  

A heavy wrecker was dispatched to the scene to help with cleanup. Jessop said the wreckage would be accessed via Old Highway 91 by temporarily cutting a hole in the tall wire fence that lines the interstate, thereby limiting any impacts to traffic on I-15 itself.

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

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2020, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jeff Richards, a native of Salt Lake City with family roots in Panguitch, lived in Moab for 20 years before joining St. George News in 2017. Jeff is a longtime journalist and secondary school teacher. He and his wife Penny are the parents of five daughters. They also have three young grandsons. Jeff and his family enjoy swimming, camping, sightseeing, reading, and taking pictures.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @stgnews@moabjeff@stgnewssports

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