PAROWAN — In a traffic incident that police say could have been fatal if not for the passengers wearing seat belts, a van rear-ended a semi truck Saturday morning on Interstate 15.
The semi was southbound on I-15 at mile marker 73, near Parowan, at 1:04 a.m. when a van towing a trailer crashed into the rear of the semi truck and trailer, Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Bambi Baie told St. George News.
The semi continued driving before pulling off the road. The man driving the van told officers at the scene that the semi truck was stopped when the collision occurred, while the man driving the semi truck claimed he was moving down the freeway, Baie said.
The incident is still under investigation and as of 11:31 a.m. on Jan. 13 no citations have been issued. The driver of the semi truck was uninjured. The man and one woman in the van had minor injuries and both were taken via ambulance to Cedar City Hospital, Baie noted.
She said officers on the scene reported that the crash could have been fatal for the passengers of the van had they not been wearing their seat belts.
Parowan, Enoch and Cedar City police departments assisted at the scene, along with Iron County Sheriff’s Office, Gold Cross Ambulance and Parowan City Fire Department.
Southbound lane one of I-15 was closed for only a short while to clear debris, and all traffic was directed to lane two. Baie said the van was towed from the scene due to heavy damages.
Photo Gallery
The rear end of the semi truck after it reportedly was rear ended up by a van in Parowan, Utah, January 13, 2024 | Photo courtesy Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News The side of the van after it reportedly crashed into the rear of the semi truck in Parowan, Utah, January 13, 2024 | Photo courtesy Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News The front of a van after it reportedly crashed into the rear of the semi truck in Parowan, Utah, January 13, 2024 | Photo courtesy Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News A van after it reportedly crashed into the rear of the semi truck in Parowan, Utah, January 13, 2024 | Photo courtesy of Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News
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