Authorities release names of 2 who died in Beaver County wrong-way driving crash

The aftermath of a head-on collision on the southbound Interstate 15, near mile marker 102, Beaver, Utah, Dec. 12, 2022 | Photo courtesy of the Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — A wrong-way driver reportedly caused a head-on collision near Beaver Sunday night, resulting in the death of two people.

The aftermath of a head-on collision on the southbound Interstate 15, near mile marker 102, Beaver, Utah, Dec. 12, 2022 | Photo courtesy of the Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News

On Tuesday, the names of the individuals involved in the crash were made available in an updated news release.

Caiti Mcniven, a 24-year-old woman from St. George, was driving the Ford Fusion and Terry Neztsosie, a 49-year-old man from Page, Arizona, was driving the Ford Escape.

It is believed that both drivers were wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash, UHP Sgt. Cameron Roden said. There were no other occupants in either vehicle.

UHP suspects Neztsosie may have been impaired, which could have contributed to the crash, the release states. The Major Crash Investigation Team and the State Bureau of Investigation will assist with the investigation.

At approximately 6:22 p.m. Sunday, the Utah Highway Patrol received multiple calls reporting a wrong-way driver traveling north in a tan Ford Escape on the southbound Interstate 15, near mile marker 102, according to a news release from the Utah Department of Public Safety.

Troopers in the Beaver area responded to intercept the vehicle and were notified of a head-on collision near mile marker 109, the release states. The Escape collided with a white Ford Fusion that was traveling in the left southbound lane. A man in the Escape and a woman in the Fusion were both killed on impact.

With many traveling and celebrating the holiday season, Roden said that it’s essential for people to find a sober ride home if they plan to consume alcohol.

“We need to make sure that that plan is in place before drinking so that there’s not a question of how we’re getting home,” he said. “There’s so many options to get home, whether that be rideshare services, designated drivers, taxis – there’s a lot of ways to get home, and there’s no excuse for impaired driving.”

The Beaver County Fire Department and the Beaver County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the scene.

Updated Dec. 12, 2022, 8:45 p.m.: Crash photos added.

Updated Dec. 13, 2022, 5:25 p.m.: Names of individuals involved in crash added.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

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