Crash at Bluff Street-Snow Canyon Parkway intersection creates chaotic traffic snarl in St. George

ST. GEORGE — Two pickup trucks collided at a busy St. George intersection Monday — a collision that possibly was set in motion when one of the drivers experienced a medical issue, police say.

St. George Police officers tend to scene of crash at the intersection of Bluff Street and Snow Canyon Parkway in St. George, Utah, May 8, 2023 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News

Shortly before 11:30 a.m., officers and emergency personnel responded to the intersection of Bluff Street and Snow Canyon Parkway where they found two pickup trucks, a black GMC Sierra and a white GMC Sierra, smashed together and partially blocking one of the northbound lanes of Bluff Street.

St. George Police Officer Eric Trombley told St. George News that the driver of the black pickup truck was conscious when emergency crews arrived on scene.

“He was breathing. He was awake,” Trombley said. “He just wasn’t really responding to our questions.”

The driver of the black pickup was transported by ambulance to St. George Regional Hospital for evaluation and treatment, while the driver in the white pickup reported no injuries at the scene. Both drivers were wearing seat belts when the collision took place.

The black pickup reportedly was stopped at the red light facing south on Bluff Street, while the white pickup truck was stopped at the red light facing north. Trombley said the driver of the black pickup went through the light and drove directly into the path of the northbound pickup truck.

“We believe the driver of the black GMC might have had a medical issue, according to several witness statements, when all of a sudden he went through the light and drove directly into the white GMC,” Trombley said.

He added that initially, northbound traffic on Bluff Street was impacted by the partially blocked travel lanes that created a backlog of vehicles that extended beyond West 1300 North Circle until one of the northbound travel lanes was reopened for traffic.

Two GMC pickup trucks are towed from the scene following a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Bluff Street and Snow Canyon Parkway in St. George, Utah, May 8, 2023 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News

Once the northbound line of cars was eliminated, Trombley said, the westbound traffic on Snow Canyon Parkway was blocked, at least initially, as heavy wreckers moved into position to tow the wreckage and scattered debris from the roadway.

The backlog of traffic heading on Snow Canyon was relieved a short while later when both westbound lanes were reopened for travel.

As numerous tow truck drivers, fire crews and officers were tending to the chaotic scene, they were confronted with vehicles that went around backed up traffic and found themselves in the middle of the scene.

Trombley said with so many responders, fire crews and two truck drivers working in the intersection following Monday’s crash, he asked that motorists use extra caution when they see emergency lights and crews working at a scene. This is particularly important when lane closures create traffic congestion that can hamper travel.

He asked that motorists take an alternate route, or a longer route, to reach their destination if possible, as opposed to going around the cars which can place them in the middle of a crash scene. This, in turn, places everyone working in the intersection at risk of becoming injured.

Following Monday’s crash, Trombley said the driver of the black pickup had not been cited, but the incident will be turned over to the city attorney’s office for review.

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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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

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