ST. GEORGE — A semi driver was transported to the hospital following a rollover crash on state Route 59 east of Hurricane that left metal and debris scattered across the highway.
Just before 4:30 a.m. emergency responders and UHP troopers were dispatched to SR-59 near mile marker 21, east of the large hill that descends into the Hurricane Valley, on a rollover crash involving a semitractor trailer that overturned and crashed off the roadway.
Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Cameron Roden told St. George News that responders arrived to find the overturned semi several feet down an embankment lying on its side near the northbound shoulder of the highway. Troopers also found scrap metal and debris strewn across the roadway, whic had to be closed temporarily for the large-scale recovery operation.
The driver was injured and transported to St. George Regional Hospital by ambulance for evaluation and treatment for “non life-threatening injuries,” Roden said.
At the time of the crash, the driver was heading west on SR-59 when the truck drifted as it approached a curve in the roadway. The semi continued drifting to the right where it struck the guardrail, and after taking out several yards of the rail, the semi continued down the embankment and started to roll.
The force of the impact ripped the cab open as the semitractor rolled and then came to rest with the driver’s side against the ground.
As the truck veered off the highway, Roden said, the load of scrap metal flew out of the trailer as it went down the embankment. The trailer remained connected to the cab but both were completely destroyed in the crash.
The highway was shut down temporarily twice, Roden said, adding it was initially closed due to the amount of debris and scrap metal littering the roadway that had to be removed before travel could resume. With the debris cleared, he said, the highway reopened for a short time until the large wreckers arrive. The second closure subsequently took place so the recovery operation could begin – a process that involved pulling both the cab and trailer upright before both were pulled the embankment and then towed from the scene.
Considering the amount of damage found at the scene, Rodent said, the injuries could have been far worse, adding the driver was very fortunate to have escaped more serious injuries.
What caused the driver to drift off the roadway is still under investigation, Roden said, and no other vehicles were involved. The highway reopened in both directions within approximately two hours of the crash.
This report is based on statements from police, emergency personnel or other responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.
Photo gallery
Cab of Kenworth semitractor-trailer is crushed in a rollover on westbound state Route 59 just east of Hurricane in Washington County, Utah, April 19, 2022 | Photo courtesy of the Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News Cab of Kenworth semitractor-trailer is crushed in a rollover on state Route 59 just east of Hurricane in Washington County, Utah, April 19, 2022 | Photo courtesy of the Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News Several yards of guardrail is taken out by semitractor-trailer during rollover on state Route 59 just east of Hurricane in Washington County, Utah, April 19, 2022 | Photo courtesy of the Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News Several yards of guardrail is taken out by semitractor-trailer during rollover on state Route 59 just east of Hurricane in Washington County, Utah, April 19, 2022 | Photo courtesy of the Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News 
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