ST. GEORGE — A driver who swerved to avoid hitting a dog that darted out in the road Thursday struck a parked vehicle with a mother and her two small children inside.
At 11:30 a.m. St. George Police and emergency personnel were dispatched to a two-vehicle crash on 100 South near the corner of 600 East that involved a dark gray Ford Expedition and a white Toyota 4-Runner, St. George Police Officer Dave McDaniel said.
Upon arrival officers found both vehicles in the westbound lane of 100 South and checked the occupants for injuries. No one was injured although one of the children, a 7-week-old infant, would be checked out by a physician later in the day.
The driver of the 4-Runner told police he was heading west on 100 South and before he reached the corner of 600 East a dog ran out in front of his vehicle.
To avoid hitting the animal the driver swerved to the right and struck the Expedition that was parked under a tree next to the St. George City cemetery.
The driver of the Expedition was tending to her baby inside of the vehicle when it was struck by the 4-Runner. Moments before the collision the woman had also unbuckled another daughter from her car seat to allow the child to move around while they were parked.
“No one was buckled inside of the Explorer because they were parked while the driver took care of her baby,” McDaniel said, “but the driver was able to brace herself and the infant when she saw him coming in her rear-view mirror.”
The woman already had a scheduled doctor’s appointment for her infant and would be checked out there “as a precaution,” he added.
The 4-Runner received extensive front-end damage in the crash and was towed from the scene. The driver was cited for improper lane travel and not having proof of insurance, McDaniel said.
The Explorer showed rear-end damage but remained operational and was driven from the area.
“Just a reminder for everyone, just make sure you keep any proof of insurance inside your car,” McDaniel 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 white Toyota 4-Runner is towed after a two-vehicle collision on 100 South Thursday morning, St. George, Utah, April 27, 2017 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News St. George Police and firefighters tend to a two-vehicle collision on 100 South on a busy Thursday morning, St. George, Utah, April 27, 2017 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News A white Toyota 4-Runner is towed after a two-vehicle collision on 100 South Thursday morning, St. George, Utah, April 27, 2017 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News Officers and firefighters tend to a two-vehicle collision on 100 South on a busy Thursday morning, St. George, Utah, April 27, 2017 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News A dark gray Ford Expedition is struck from behind by a Toyota 4-Runner on 100 South Thursday morning, St. George, Utah, April 27, 2017 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News St. George firefighter and family friend Ron Allen holds a 7-week-old infant involved in a two-vehicle crash on 100 South Thursday, St. George, Utah, April 27, 2017 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News
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Just a reminder that there are few things that will run in front of you that you would risk veering into another lane for. Little kids come to mind as the exception to the rule……….
The dog’s owner bears some responsibility for this accident, even though they were not cited.
I’m glad he missed the dog; not happy with owners that let their animals run loose or people who don’t care about abandoned or abused animals.
So what happend to the Dog?….and maybe hit your brakes instead of swerving right?
Hmmmmm the old dog trick maybe texting and not paying attention and drifted over just saying seems odd
Good point Paul. Did this dog even exist? When there’s a dog reported I guess I usually assume we can give the reporter that must trust. It’s a sad sign of the times if folks are creating imaginary dogs to cover for reckless texting & driving. Maybe Cody should report it as “an alleged dog”. who knows. If the dog got hit shortly after this and lie there splattered in the road then we’d know for sure.
I don’t swerve to miss an animal darting out into the road – I do hit the brakes in an attempt to miss. Better to clip an animal than risk serious injury to yourself or another person in the other lane. I do love animals, and would never deliberately harm one, but in this case, I will always choose me or another human life over a dog/cat/squirrel.
Did anyone else see THIS DOG
and I thought I was a cynic and a skeptic. proud of u, paul. cheers 😉
Perhaps there WAS a dog. On the other hand, perhaps the dog also ate the driver’s homework…