WASHINGTON CITY — Speed and reckless driving are being considered by police to be the cause of an SUV rollover on Telegraph Street through Washington City on Friday afternoon.
Shortly before 4 p.m., a Ford Expedition that was eastbound on Telegraph Street in the area of 4200 East was reported by witnesses to be swerving in and out of lanes as it passed by traffic at a high rate of speed, Washington City Police Lt. Kory Klotz said at the scene.
While approaching a curve in the road, the SUV hit it too fast and went off the road, then came back on the roadway only for the SUV’s driver to over-correct and turn into oncoming traffic, Klotz said. The driver over-corrected again and caused the vehicle to roll once and landed on its passenger side in the middle of the road.
The man driving the SUV was taken to St. George Regional Hospital with injuries, Klotz said. Though the extent of those injuries was unknown at the time, the driver appeared to be conscious and coherent, he said.
A woman who was a passenger in the SUV appeared to be unharmed, yet was taken to the hospital as well for evaluation, Klotz said.
“Luckily they were both wearing seat belts and saved them from the crash,” Klotz said.
A witness to the crash told police he estimated the SUV to be traveling at between 65-70 mph on the 50 mph road.
“Obviously speed was a major factor here, as was the aggressive driving,” Klotz said, adding the driver will most likely be cited with a number of violations.
Traffic was backed up and slow-moving through the area of the crash for around 45 minutes until the SUV was towed away.
No other vehicles or persons were involved in the incident.
The Washington City Police and Fire departments and Hurricane Valley Fire District responded to the crash.
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