Semitruck crashes on I-15 in Iron County after allegedly being cut off by another semi driver

Badly damaged semitractor-trailer that was involved in a collision on Interstate 15 in Iron County, Utah, June 18, 2022 | Photo courtesy of Ladd's Transport, St. George News / Cedar City News

CEDAR CITY — Two semitractor-trailers collided on Interstate 15 in Iron County on Saturday evening, sending one of the trucks completely off the roadway

Semitractor-trailer that was rear-ended near Exit 71 on northbound Interstate 15 in Iron County, Utah, June 18, 2022 | Photo courtesy of Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News / Cedar City News

Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Bambi Baie said the incident happened shortly after 6 p.m. as the driver of the first semi was entering I-15 via the Exit 71 on-ramp near Summit.

That merging semi was then struck from behind by another semi truck that was traveling in the right lane, Baie said, adding that the semi that got cut off ended up going off the roadway and down a hill for some distance before crashing.

The first semi sustained damage to the rear end of its trailer, although the truck itself remained drivable. Its driver wasn’t injured and remained at the scene. He was issued a citation for changing lanes into an occupied lane, Baie said.

Meanwhile, the second driver sustained serious injuries and was taken by ambulance to Cedar City Hospital, then to St. George Regional Hospital. The man’s wife told St. George News on Monday that her husband sustained a concussion, a broken vertebra and other broken bones and was scheduled for surgery Monday night. His truck and trailer were also heavily damaged, and tow truck operators had to cut the trailer apart to remove it and its cargo from the scene. It was carrying a load of lawnmowers, barbecue grills, shop vacuums and fans.

Tow truck operator Ladd Brindley said he and his crews spent all night cleaning up the wreckage and cargo, eventually finishing the job around 9 a.m. Sunday.

Update June 20, 9:48 p.m.: Earlier version of this story misstated the severity of the second driver’s injuries. Update clarifies injuries and condition.

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