ST. GEORGE – A rear-end crash late Tuesday morning left two trucks temporarily stuck together and two drivers with minor injuries.
Emergency crews were dispatched at approximately 10:58 a.m. to a report of a crash just north of the intersection of 500 North Street and Bluff Street in St. George.
A vehicle was heading north in the right lane and began slowing down to turn into a Subway restaurant, St. George Police Officer Jamison Hale said.
The driver of a tan 1993 Dodge Ram diesel pickup truck traveling behind the first vehicle was able to stop in time.
However, the driver following the Dodge in a white 2000 Ford F-150 pickup, could not stop in time.
The force of the collision embedded the rear bumper of the Ram into the front of the Ford and left the two pickup trucks stuck together.
They were separated by a tow company, which winched the Ram up onto the tow truck until the trucks pulled apart, even though the front wheels of the tow truck came off the ground several inches.
Then, the tow company addressed the Dodge’s dangling tow hitch which was bent nearly vertical in the incident. The hitch was straightened out by repeatedly lowering the rear end of the truck onto wooden blocks.
The maneuver was successful. Although the Dodge Ram sustained damaged in the crash, it was driven away from the scene. The Ford had to be towed.
Both drivers were middle-aged men; there were no passengers in either truck. The driver of the Ford complained of elbow pain, and the driver of the Dodge had neck pain. Both drivers refused medical transport, Hale said, but were planning to seek medical attention.
The chances of getting in a rear-end crash can be reduced by slowing down and not following too closely, Hale said.
“Give yourself plenty of distance between another vehicle,” he said. “You never know when a car’s going to stop.”
Hale recommends drivers allow even more distance if they know they will be temporarily distracted – for example, by an impending sneeze or by looking down to change the radio station.
“They say two-second rule, but three or four seconds – the more distance you give yourself the more time you have to stop,” Hale said. “If a dog runs out in the street, a ball, or something like this … you happen to notice it at the last minute, you have time to stop.”
A citation was issued to the driver of the Ford for following too close, Hale 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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A rear-end crash on Bluff Street Tuesday morning damaged two trucks and left the drivers with minor injuries, St. George, Utah, Oct. 25, 2016 | Photo by Julie Applegate, St. George News
A rear-end crash on Bluff Street Tuesday morning damaged two trucks and left the drivers with minor injuries, St. George, Utah, Oct. 25, 2016 | Photo by Julie Applegate, St. George News
A rear-end crash on Bluff Street Tuesday morning damaged two trucks and left the drivers with minor injuries, St. George, Utah, Oct. 25, 2016 | Photo by Julie Applegate, St. George News
A rear-end crash on Bluff Street Tuesday morning damaged two trucks and left the drivers with minor injuries, St. George, Utah, Oct. 25, 2016 | Photo by Julie Applegate, St. George News
A rear-end crash on Bluff Street Tuesday morning damaged two trucks and left the drivers with minor injuries, St. George, Utah, Oct. 25, 2016 | Photo by Julie Applegate, St. George News
A rear-end crash on Bluff Street Tuesday morning damaged two trucks and left the drivers with minor injuries, St. George, Utah, Oct. 25, 2016 | Photo by Julie Applegate, St. George News
A rear-end crash on Bluff Street Tuesday morning damaged two trucks and left the drivers with minor injuries, St. George, Utah, Oct. 25, 2016 | Photo by Julie Applegate, St. George News
A rear-end crash on Bluff Street Tuesday morning damaged two trucks and left the drivers with minor injuries, St. George, Utah, Oct. 25, 2016 | Photo by Julie Applegate, St. George News
A rear-end crash on Bluff Street Tuesday morning damaged two trucks and left the drivers with minor injuries, St. George, Utah, Oct. 25, 2016 | Photo by Julie Applegate, St. George News
A rear-end crash on Bluff Street Tuesday morning damaged two trucks and left the drivers with minor injuries, St. George, Utah, Oct. 25, 2016 | Photo by Julie Applegate, St. George News
A rear-end crash on Bluff Street Tuesday morning damaged two trucks and left the drivers with minor injuries, St. George, Utah, Oct. 25, 2016 | Photo by Julie Applegate, St. George News
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2016, all rights reserved.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Julie Applegate is a long-time resident and fan of Southern Utah. She brings a strong background in news writing and editing, formerly as a full-time member of the St. George News team and currently as a contributor. Julie spent several years in the software industry. She believes strongly in the role of responsible news media in society, especially at the local level.
In her spare time, Julie can be found exploring Southern Utah on foot and by four-wheel drive or spending time with her family.
That is why I don,t stop at any businesses on bluff at.. Wait til the extra lanes are put in and a lot of goose businesses awe bye bye.. There are plenty of other areas to put your business. Bluff st has always been dangerous and drivers pay no attention and follow too close
CRIKEY!!
LOOK AT THAT!
This is a rare treat- the seldom seen mating rituals of the Ford and Dodge trucks…. Look at that BEAUUUUUTIFUL Ford! It’s mounted the dodge and REFUUUUSES to let it go! Let’s hope this doesn’t result in a bizarre hybrid truck developing.
Modern dealers do not condone the fraternizing of these two models. The LDS church does not condemn the inter-vehicle coupling, but it also does not support it. An #EqualTruckLove march is scheduled in SLC later this week. Supporters of the #KeepFordPure and #DodgeIsDifferent ideologies are expected to protest.
That is why I don,t stop at any businesses on bluff at.. Wait til the extra lanes are put in and a lot of goose businesses awe bye bye.. There are plenty of other areas to put your business. Bluff st has always been dangerous and drivers pay no attention and follow too close
goose businesses? In all seriousness, are you even safe to be driving in the first place? I’m not even joking at all
No Bob You Are The Joke ! and I’m not even joking at all
Dodges are built Ford strong.
CRIKEY!!
LOOK AT THAT!
This is a rare treat- the seldom seen mating rituals of the Ford and Dodge trucks…. Look at that BEAUUUUUTIFUL Ford! It’s mounted the dodge and REFUUUUSES to let it go! Let’s hope this doesn’t result in a bizarre hybrid truck developing.
Modern dealers do not condone the fraternizing of these two models. The LDS church does not condemn the inter-vehicle coupling, but it also does not support it. An #EqualTruckLove march is scheduled in SLC later this week. Supporters of the #KeepFordPure and #DodgeIsDifferent ideologies are expected to protest.
Actually that happens all the time here because Dumbob and RealLowlife always follow each other around !
Whoa, look out! Is this guy funny, or what?
Awww you poor little thing did I hurt your feelings ! Well I’m just going 2 go back 2 doing absolutely nothing because I don’t have 2 work 4 a living.