ST. GEORGE — Two vehicles were destroyed Thursday morning in a crash St. George police officers suspect was caused by an impaired driver.

Shortly before 10 a.m. officers and emergency personnel were dispatched to Tonaquint Drive just north of Chandler Drive for a two-vehicle crash involving a silver Toyota Camry and a gray Mazda passenger car.

Officers arrived to find the Toyota partially on the sidewalk with severe damage to the front end, while the Mazda was extensively damaged and came to rest near the median, partially blocking northbound traffic.

St. George Police officer Ean Williams told St. George News that officers at the scene suspect that impairment may have played a role in the crash. The woman driving the Toyota appeared to be under the influence of either alcohol or some type of substance at the time of the crash, and she was transported to St. George Regional Hospital with minor injuries.

“Officers are investigating the incident and are at the hospital with the driver now,” Williams said.

The driver of the Mazda reported an injury to her right leg but declined to be transported to the hospital, he added.

At the time of the collision, the Mazda was heading south along Tonaquint Drive in the inside lane, while the Toyota was heading north along the same street in the outside lane, Williams said. But according to a witness who stopped and spoke to police, the Toyota reportedly started to swerve out of the travel lane and veered to the left towards the median where it continued into the path of the Mazda.

The driver of the Mazda turned the wheel sharply to avoid colliding with the Toyota, the officer said, but was unable to avoid the crash. The impact spun both vehicles around until the Toyota jumped the curb and came to rest on the opposite side of the street, while the Mazda came to rest partially blocking both northbound lanes.

“That Toyota did a complete 180, and as it spun around and then ended up where it did,” he said.

He also said investigators were at the hospital following up with the Toyota driver at the time of the interview.

Traffic in both directions was reduced to a single lane as responders cleared the wreckage and removed the vehicles from the roadway.

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

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