Injuries, investigation result from utility truck collision with vehicle on South River Road

Written by Nick Yamashita
June 27, 2023

ST. GEORGE — A white utility truck driver reportedly ran a stop sign and collided with a smaller red car on South River Road, resulting in three adults and one child being transported to the hospital.

Drone image of the scene of a two-vehicle crash on South River Road resulting in a police investigation Tuesday evening, St. George, Utah, June 27, 2023 | Photo courtesy of Redline Studios, St. George News

Just after 6 p.m. Tuesday, first responders were dispatched to South River Road and East Commerce Drive on a report of a two-vehicle collision.

St. George Police Sgt. Joe Watson told St. George News at the scene that a white utility truck carrying tools and PVC pipe ran a stop sign and crashed into the passenger side of a red Cadillac SRX4.

The Cadillac was traveling north on River Road while the utility truck was traveling west on Commerce Drive.

Watson said multiple witnesses saw the utility truck run through the stop sign and collide with the Cadillac. Two Big Ben’s Moving trucks with employees arrived right after the incident and immediately began to help.

The utility truck was occupied by two Hispanic men. The driver reportedly fled on foot after the incident but returned approximately 20 minutes later and requested medical assistance, complaining of an arm injury.

The driver was stopped by police and examined in the Czarnowski parking lot and transported by Gold Cross Ambulance to St. George Regional Hospital.

The two adults and a child in the Cadillac were assisted from the vehicle by EMTs and first responders. They were also transported by ambulance to St. George Regional Hospital. It took four ambulances to transport the injured.

An open bottle of Corona was visible by the utility truck after being removed by police.

“That aspect is being investigated,” Watson said.

The utility truck suffered serious damage to its front end while the Cadillac was significantly damaged with a large indentation in the passenger side of the vehicle. Glass, parts of vehicles and PVC pipes littered the road.

St. George Fire Department, four Gold Cross Ambulance units, eight police units, two Zion Motors tow trucks and one Epic Motorsports tow truck responded to the scene.

Traffic was rerouted through parking lots of businesses while River Road was completely shut down until 7:32 p.m.

This report is based on statements from police and first responders and may not contain the full scope of findings. It is currently an active police investigation and more information will be readily available as it is released by the proper authorities. All persons are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nick Yamashita has extensive experience reporting for small town media, covering a variety of subjects and events for The Virgin River Times and The Progress in Southern Nevada. Before a career in journalism, he worked a variety of jobs in criminal justice systems. Yamashita holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a master's degree in interdisciplinary studies from Southern Utah University. He is an award-winning photographer and writer. He has been published in scholarly articles and poetry compilations. In his spare time, he practices and teaches martial arts.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews

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