ST. GEORGE — Five cars collided on Bluff Street Thursday morning when a swerving car drew one driver’s attention away from the long line of cars that was stopped behind a red light in heavy traffic.
This set off an accordion-style collision as cars were pushed forward into one another.
Officers and emergency personnel were dispatched to a crash near the corner of North 600 West and Bluff Street, just south of Sandtown Park in St. George shortly before 9 a.m. Officers arrived to find five vehicles, several of which were heavily damaged, blocking the southbound lane nearest the left-turn lane.
Gold Cross Ambulance arrived oto check on the occupants, and St. George Police officer Eric Trombley said a few minor injuries were reported and no one was transported to the hospital. With one lane completely blocked and debris scattered across the roadway, additional officers were called out to help with traffic control.
The crash, Trombley said, was set in motion when a smaller blue SUV was stopped behind a line of cars and directly behind was a dark blue Toyota that was followed by a Mazda that was also stopped behind the lead car.
It was the fourth vehicle, a gray Saturn, that crashed into the back of the Mazda that was pushed into the Toyota, which, in turn, was pushed into the back of the small SUV. The fifth vehicle, a white Kia, was trailing behind and “barely” hit the back of the Saturn — just enough for paint transfer — but that was about it, he added.
The driver of the fourth vehicle told officers they were heading south when “someone swerved in their lane,” Trombley said.
This action drew the driver’s attention away for a second, and by the time the driver’s attention returned to traffic, she was approaching the line of cars that were at a stop directly in front of her and she was unable to stop in time to avoid the collision.
Four of the vehicles were rendered inoperable, while the Kia sustained minimal damage and was driven from the scene. The driver in the fourth vehicle was later cited for following too close and no serious injuries were reported. The crash primarily impacted southbound traffic, while motorists in both directions of travel were impeded as the vehicles were loaded onto the tow trucks and removed from the scene.
The St. George Police Department, the St. George Fire Department and Gold Cross Ambulance responded and tended to the scene. This report is based on statements from police, emergency personnel or other responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.
Photo gallery
Multiple officers and emergency crews respond to a five-vehicle crash on Bluff Street in St. George, Utah, Feb. 9, 2023 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News Multiple officers and emergency crews respond to a five-vehicle crash on Bluff Street in St. George, Utah, Feb. 9, 2023 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News Multiple officers and emergency crews respond to a five-vehicle crash on Bluff Street in St. George, Utah, Feb. 9, 2023 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News Saturn SUV is heavily damaged during a five-vehicle crash on Bluff Street in St. George, Utah, Feb. 9, 2023 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News 
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