Crash in St. George sends Jeep up embankment, 1 driver to hospital

Written by Nick Yamashita
October 24, 2023

ST. GEORGE — Cars slowed near the intersection of Dixie Drive and 1600 South Tuesday afternoon to catch a glimpse of the customized Jeep Wrangler that wound up atop a rock landscaping embankment after colliding with a Mercedes..

A custom Jeep Wrangler ended up on a rock landscaping embankment after a two-car collision on Dixie Drive, St. George, Utah, Oct. 24, 2023 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News

St. George Police Officer Bryan Hendrix said the Jeep was traveling southbound on Dixie Drive when the driver entered the intersection at the same time as a Mercedes Benz SL-500, which was turning left onto 1600 South.

Hendrix said both vehicles had green lights, but since the Mercedes was turning left, the driver needed to yield to oncoming traffic. He subsequently was issued a failure to yield citation.

“If you recognize a car is coming that fast, why did you turn?” Hendrix told St. George News. “Don’t turn in front of him. Don’t assume you have time to make the turn. Wait until you are sure you can make the turn safely.”

The driver and passenger were transported to the St. George Regional Hospital by Gold Cross Ambulance after the elderly man driving complained of back pains. The elderly woman passenger accompanied him in the ambulance.

A white Mercedes Benz had to be towed after a two-car collision on Dixie Drive, St. George, Utah, Oct. 24, 2023 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News

The Mercedes driver was uninjured.

The Jeep sustained minor damage to the front but had a flat front passenger tire with the appearance of possible damage to the undercarriage. The Mercedes had moderate damage to the front.

St. George Fire Department and Gold Cross Ambulance responded to the scene as well. Personal Touch Towing and Zips Towing hauled the vehicles away.

The crash did not affect any traffic on Dixie Drive, and there were disruptions to traffic on 1600 South.

Hendrix reminded drivers making the left turn who have entered the intersection can wait until the light turns red to turn.

“They have the right of way to clear the intersection before those who just got the green can go,” he said.

This report is based on statements from police or other responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.

 

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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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