Alcohol use suspected in double fatality crash overnight

Stock image | St. George News

WASHINGTON COUNTY — Two Cedar City men were killed Saturday in an early morning crash on Interstate 15 that Utah Highway Patrol troopers say may have been caused by a drunk driver.

“We can confirm that there was a double fatal at milepost 34, I-15 northbound,” Utah Highway Patrol Trooper Evan Kirby said.

Milepost 34 is midway between the Snowfield and Black Ridge exits on the interstate.

About 3:50 a.m. a silver Pontiac with three males was traveling north when it came upon a slow semitractor-trailer in the right lane, according to a UHP news release. The Pontiac driver swerved to avoid the semi but was too late.

The Pontiac struck the trailer on the left side and the steel bumper tore through the passenger side of the Pontiac. The front passenger and rear-seat passenger were killed instantly.

The vehicles continued north for about a mile before stopping on the right shoulder, where both drivers contacted police.

Nigel Chavez, 25, and Matthew Chavez, 26, both of Cedar City were pronounced dead at the scene.

Traffic was affected for approximately two hours while the crash was investigated and cleaned up.

Alcohol is being investigated as a factor in the crash, Kirby said.

This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2016, all rights reserved.

 

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32 Comments

  • 42214 September 10, 2016 at 6:20 pm

    Classic DUI loss of depth perception and closing speed. Driver just murdered his two passengers. Life in prison is justified.

  • Bob September 10, 2016 at 6:20 pm

    “The vehicles continued north for about a mile before stopping on the right shoulder, where both drivers contacted police.”

    that doesn’t make much sense

    • Bob September 10, 2016 at 7:25 pm

      i guess maybe going under the trailer sheared off the top of the car and it was still derivable, a mile tho, hmm…

      • 42214 September 10, 2016 at 9:43 pm

        Bob, you’re such a dork. …. is right about you.

        • .... September 11, 2016 at 9:04 am

          Don’t forget stupid and ignorant

          • anybody home September 11, 2016 at 1:04 pm

            What are you and 42214 – twelve? Grow up.

    • Avatar photo Joyce Kuzmanic September 10, 2016 at 8:14 pm

      Hmm. Both drivers, Bob. There were two vehicles involved, one driver each.
      I hope that helps,

      ST. GEORGE NEWS
      Joyce Kuzmanic
      Editor in Chief

      • .... September 10, 2016 at 9:07 pm

        wooooooohoooooooooo. Way to go Joyce 5 ☆☆☆☆☆ !

      • Kristi September 10, 2016 at 9:21 pm

        I thinking Bob may have meant it didn’t make any sense as why they kept driving for a mile before they both stopped and contacted police. Cuz really why a mile?
        When I came home from Mesquite Friday night there was a silver car that was driving 60 on a 75 mph freeway in the fast lane heading north. And they were acting weird. I wonder if they stopped slept it off and that was them??? Hmm I’d have to see the car tho… To many bad drives…

        • Bob September 10, 2016 at 11:57 pm

          Yes, after that severe of a collision i don’t know how they made it a mile, and if its the type of accident i’m thinking of the car went partly under the trailer and possibly decapitated the 2 passengers–surprised the car was still even driveable–thats a lot of impact to a semi also.. so i dunno.. passengers probly didn’t even know what hit ’em.. was quick..

    • .... September 10, 2016 at 9:10 pm

      Ha ha dum ! now be a good little boy and go take your meds. …lmao now dumbob is a traffic expert .I’m sure the highway patrol will be calling you for your expert opinion. ha ha ha ha

      • anybody home September 11, 2016 at 1:02 pm

        I don’t know Bob, but he usually makes a lot more sense than all the people here who attack him. The attackers are the real jackazzes.

        • 42214 September 11, 2016 at 3:33 pm

          …. , I think we got in trouble with the hall monitor.

          • .... September 11, 2016 at 10:37 pm

            That must be Bob’s little brother lol ! I’ll just call him little Bob

        • .... September 11, 2016 at 10:28 pm

          The only jackazz I see here is anybody home

        • .... September 12, 2016 at 12:55 pm

          Hey hall monitor anybody home ! my dead goldfish makes more sense than you !

      • Arcana September 11, 2016 at 9:50 pm

        The way you attack people who have a different opinion than you is childlike. And cringe worthy. I hope you act better in person.

        • 42214 September 11, 2016 at 11:31 pm

          Go find a safe zone and shut up

          • .... September 12, 2016 at 12:34 pm

            LOL ! Arcana is gonna turn you in to anybody home the law and order hall monitor of St George news and take you to the principles office !

        • .... September 12, 2016 at 12:48 am

          Am I getting sent to the principles office ?

  • Common Sense September 10, 2016 at 7:20 pm

    I am sorry for the loss of these young mens lives. It is sad they will never get a second chance to make a better decision. I hope the driver gets the help he will need to handle this tragic mistake.

    • .... September 10, 2016 at 9:17 pm

      It is tragic and what has happened cannot be undone. my condolences to the families,
      the driver has a very serious burden to carry with him, there will be consequences for sure and more than just legal ones.

    • 42214 September 12, 2016 at 8:45 am

      Hope he gets help while serving time for manslaughter.

      • .... September 12, 2016 at 12:50 pm

        Yeah I hope he gets help while he’s incarcerated. I’m sure Dumbob and Arcana and the ( Hall Monitor ) anybody home will go see him on family visitation days

  • Yazmin September 10, 2016 at 11:56 pm

    This saddens me, such a vibrant soul. I knew both of them…bring them home to Cali. Who was the driver and are any charges pending ?

    • Arcana September 11, 2016 at 9:51 pm

      You can check bookings. He’s on there already.

      • Christina September 14, 2016 at 7:44 pm

        What’s the name of the person driving?

  • .... September 11, 2016 at 10:50 pm

    LOL ! little Bob ( anybody home ) complains about people attacking Dumbob but he doesn’t say anything to Bob about the people that Bob attacks ! they’re probably related. so let’s all make little Bob ( anybody home ) happy and not be ignorant to big Bob as big Bob continues his reign of ignorance.

  • .... September 12, 2016 at 6:56 am

    All HAIL THE NEW ST GEORGE NEWS HALL MONITOR. Marshall Anybody Home ! Law and Order LOL ! this is gonna be fun

  • .... September 12, 2016 at 12:45 pm

    The way you attack people that have a different opinions than you is childlike. and cringe worthy I hope you act better in person. .because if you don’t were turning your over to the principles office. .

    • Arcana September 12, 2016 at 11:19 pm

      Seriously? How old are you?

      • .... September 13, 2016 at 8:30 am

        Seriously Deputy Arcana Fife how old are you ?

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