‘Deadly choice’ causes crash on Westridge corner, backs up traffic on Sunset

Written by Chris Reed
December 14, 2022

ST. GEORGE — A collision involving a black pickup and a white sports utility vehicle at the corner of Westridge Drive backed up westbound traffic on Sunset Boulevard in St. George for nearly two blocks for about an hour Wednesday morning. 

Scene of a crash between a black GMC pickup truck and a white Chevy SUV at Sunset and Westridge, St. George, Utah, Dec. 14, 2022 | Photo by Layce Lundy, St. George News

The collision smashed the front of both vehicles. Both drivers were injured and required transport to St. George Regional Hospital. Neither vehicle had any other passengers. 

St. George Police Officer Berkeley Christian said the collision stemmed from failure to yield.

He said around 10 a.m., the white Tahoe was traveling eastbound on Sunset and attempting to make a left turn onto Westridge. At the same time, the black GMC pickup traveling west was moving through the intersection.

The resulting collision spun both vehicles in different directions than they had been traveling, with the extent of the damage to the front of both vehicles. The driver’s-side airbag could be seen deployed in the pickup.

Scene of a crash between a black GMC pickup truck and a white Chevy SUV at Sunset and Westridge, St. George, Utah, Dec. 14, 2022 | Photo by Chris Reed, St. George News

“It’s one of the six deadly choices,” Christian said. “Make sure before you make that left turn or turning onto the roadway, that the roadway is clear to do so.” 

The Tahoe driver was cited for failing to yield. 

Christian added that among the other “deadly choices” are following too close, handheld distractions like texting, speeding and improper lane changes. 

The extent of the injuries of those transported from the Westridge and Sunset scene was unclear. However, the crash did hinder travelers on the busy street that leads to Santa Clara from St. George until it was cleared an hour later. 

There were fewer alternate ways to bypass the crash, as portions of Westgridge and 1400 West continue to be partially closed for street work.

Along with St. George Police, the St. George Fire Department arrived for aid and cleanup and two Gold Cross ambulances transported the victims.

St. George news reporter Layce Lundy contributed to this story.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Chris Reed serves as a reporter for St. George News, where he has been honored with several awards from the Society of Professional Journalists for his work, including first-place accolades. He started his journalism career as a sports reporter and editor in Southern California where he once compared shoe sizes with Shaquille O'Neal and exchanged mix tapes with members of the Los Angeles Kings. After growing up in the San Fernando Valley learning karate skills from Mr. Miyagi and spending a decade in Las Vegas mostly avoiding the casinos, he came to St. George for love and married his soulmate, a lifetime Southern Utah resident. He is the proud father of two boys, his youngest a champion against both autism and Type 1 diabetes.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGNews

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