ST. GEORGE — An elderly man was transported to the hospital by helicopter after crashing while operating a motorcycle in Kane County on Monday.
Utah Highway Patrol Lt. Cameron Roden said a 77-year-old man allegedly ran into a guardrail while driving near mile marker 78 on U.S. 89 on Memorial Day. The incident occurred approximately six miles south of Mt. Carmel Junction as the man was driving north.
The man was airlifted by Classic Air Medical to St. George Regional Hospital for additional medical attention due to the seriousness of his injuries, he added.
“He was taking a curve when he hit the guardrail,” Roden said. “No other vehicles were involved other than the bike that got laid down. The last we heard, he was expected to survive.”
The elderly man was the only passenger on the bike. He likely survived crashing into the guardrail and laying the motorcycle down due to the fact he was wearing a helmet, Roden added.
Roden also noted a deputy with the Kane County Sheriff’s Office experienced a close call while providing traffic control at the scene of the crash.
A recreational vehicle passing the scene hit the sheriff’s vehicle causing “minor damage.”
“The RV clipped the deputy’s mirror while passing by causing minor damage to both vehicles,” Roden said.
The Kane County Sheriff’s Office deputy was not injured during the incident. Roden said travelers should pay extra attention when passing accident scenes, especially when operating larger vehicles.
“The deputy might have to replace the mirror — it could have been worse,” he said. “If you see lights flashing and law enforcement working the scene, slow down, pay attention to the road and maintain the proper lane of travel.”
This report is based on statements from court records, police or other responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.
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