UPDATE: Scooter rider involved in morning accident dies; STGnews Videocast

ST. GEORGE – The St. George Police Department confirmed Tuesday evening that a young man injured in a scooter accident early Tuesday morning has died. The name of the man has not yet been released by authorities.

Just after 6:50 a.m., the St. George Communications Center received a 911 call regarding a motorcycle accident on 700 South in the area of 900 East.  The caller reported a motorcycle was in the roadway and the rider may have been struck by a passing car.


To watch videocast, click the play arrow  play-arrow  in the center of the image top of this story


The rider was not breathing and had sustained head injuries, according to a statement released by the St. George Police Department.  Police and medical personnel arrived on scene and began treating the victim.  The accident victim was transported to Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George with life-threatening injuries.

Preliminary information about the accident suggests that the motorcycle, a scooter, was traveling east on 700 South and had just traveled under the Interstate 15 overpass when the rider lost control of the scooter and began to slide in the travel lane, the police statement said.  The scooter was in the outside travel lane, closest to the curb, and came to rest in the same lane.  The rider was dislodged from the scooter and was in, or close to, the adjacent travel lane.

Investigators are trying to determine the contributing factors that led to the rider losing control, the police statement said; wet roads may have played a role.

A vehicle that approached the scooter stopped and turned on its hazard lights.

Another vehicle approaching the scene passed that car and struck the downed motorcyclist, the police statement said.  The driver that struck the scooter  remained on scene and has been cooperating with investigators.

The motorist that stopped and turned on their hazard lights left the scene prior to officers being able to interview them.

Investigators are trying to identify the motorist who stopped and turned on hazard lights. Any witnesses to, or anyone with information about, this accident are asked to please contact the St. George Police Department and speak with Detective Manzer. Telephone 435-627-4337 or Sgt. Palmer 435-627-4951.

The Accident Reconstruction Team and Detectives from the Investigations Division responded to investigate the incident.

Officers closed off 700 South between 1000 East and 800 East while the scene was documented and the initial investigation was conducted.  The closure lasted approximately two and a half hours.

This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement as the investigation continues. It may not contain the full scope of findings.

Videocast contributed by St. George News videographer Leanna Bergeron.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @STGnews

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2015, all rights reserved.

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18 Comments

  • Koolaid January 27, 2015 at 11:06 am

    Hazard lights suggest that other motorists should use caution.

  • Bunny2015 January 27, 2015 at 11:13 am

    the aggressive drivers in this town truly suck.. wish our police would start cracking down…

  • beerbelly January 27, 2015 at 12:01 pm

    There is almost always standing water in this area when it rains. I have learned to avoid this part of 700 South on my bike when it rains.
    Hope the rider is able to recover from their injuries.

  • Def Leppard January 27, 2015 at 12:16 pm

    I hope this person makes it, why did the car go around the first car with the flashing “hazzard” lights???

    • koolaid January 27, 2015 at 1:48 pm

      Cuz they gots trucks, big ‘uns

      • Bunny2015 January 27, 2015 at 3:12 pm

        mah big 30 ton Ram don’t stop for no one! best get out the way, boy!

    • anonymous January 27, 2015 at 6:12 pm

      I know the person who went around the other car and hit the moped rider. He was unquestionably using caution. The problem was that the person who put their hazards on pulled up right behind the moped not the rider who was laying in the middle of the road no where near the moped. The person who hit the rider and passed the car with the flashers on believed that the car had just stalled. He did not see them stop or turn their headlights on. It was still dark he never saw the rider before hitting them. Terribly tragic accident for everyone invovled. Would be really nice to know what happened to the car with the flashers on that took off.

      • stander January 28, 2015 at 6:03 pm

        Dear Anonymous who knows the driver who hit the moped rider.
        I am a close friend of the moped rider, but I feel strongly I should send my condolences to the driver. Would you be willing to email me his or her contact information? Please use [email protected] and for the rest of you curious people please do not email me for information unless there is a reason you really need it.

  • hummynbyrd January 27, 2015 at 1:52 pm

    Because they don’t give a crap about others?? Just saying. ……

  • matymat January 27, 2015 at 2:06 pm

    Too sad. I do hope that rider makes it. Along with the one witness who saw the other vehicle., speaks.

  • TODRYT January 27, 2015 at 3:39 pm

    Oh golly gee whiz another tragic incident how awful. the impact of such a tragedy is a negative impact on all those involved in this unfortunate set of circumstances creating a burden for the injured parties. but hopefully everyone is insured and this more than tragic set of circumstances will eventually have a favorable ending and all parties will be able to move forward and leave this situation behind them.

  • KAS January 27, 2015 at 3:43 pm

    The motorist died shortly after the incident. I hope they find the other people, so the family of the motorist can have closure.

  • Gkat009 January 27, 2015 at 4:08 pm

    The young man on the ground injured passed away shortly after the accident. I am not familiar with St. George roadways, but a young man with his whole life ahead of him and a bright future will be sorely missed!

  • ScanMeister January 27, 2015 at 4:57 pm

    Unfortunately he did not make it. Pray for the family.

  • kaern January 27, 2015 at 5:34 pm

    Hazard lights don’t mean you need to stop. It means you need to slow down and take caution. I don’t think the passing car had any idea what was going on, or had any intention to cause harm. I want to know why the first car drive off before police came, so we would know the full story. Sad story. My heart goes out to all those involved.

  • Justme..... January 27, 2015 at 6:46 pm

    Curious…did they ever release info on the scooter operator?

  • Dumb a$$ January 27, 2015 at 7:11 pm

    My prayers go out to the young man’s family. That is a hard thing to go thru. Don’t let all the stupid comments these dumb … people leave.
    Ed. ellipsis.

  • daxdyldre January 27, 2015 at 8:02 pm

    he passed away at 5;30 p.m. prayers to all involved

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