- Update Dec. 18, 11:25 a.m. Details of citation added.
- Update Nov. 13, 4:45 p.m. Information regarding citation added.
- Update Nov. 12, 6 p.m. Report revised with information about the Lexus driver’s injuries. Additional photos added showing the damage to the Lexus.
WASHINGTON CITY — A Utah Highway Patrol trooper was sent to the hospital Saturday afternoon after reportedly going through a red light and crashing into another driver, who was also injured, on state Route 9.
Washington City Police responded to the incident at approximately 2:40 p.m. at the intersection of SR-9/West State Street and Telegraph Street/Old Highway 91.
A man driving a black Lexus sedan on Telegraph Street proceeded north through the intersection on a green light, Washington City Police spokesman Ed Kantor said.
“We had a UHP trooper that was eastbound on SR-9 who entered the intersection on a red light and struck the Lexus,” Kantor said.
Responding medical personnel from Washington City Fire Department and Hurricane Valley Fire and Rescue arrived on scene to evaluate both drivers.
The trooper was transported to Dixie Regional Medical Center for evaluation of injuries, Kantor said, noting that there were no apparent serious injuries.
The driver of the Lexus, Eric Bowen, also went to the hospital where it was found he suffered a broken collar bone, chest contusion and bruised ribs.
Bowen told St. George News he was placed on bed rest and may need surgery as a result of his injuries.
Both drivers were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.
Police were still investigating why the trooper entered the intersection on a red light at the time this report was taken.
Since the drivers were injured and went to the hospital, Kantor said, no citation was issued at the time of the crash.
“Typically any situation like that – particularly with a law enforcement agency involved – they’re not acting until they’ve sought medical attention,” Kantor told St. George News.
Washington County Attorney Jerry Yeager later reviewed the case, and the trooper, Grant Hintze, was served with an infraction charge for failing to yield at a traffic signal Nov. 21.
Both cars sustained heavy damage and were inoperable following the crash.
The left turn lane on westbound SR-9 was blocked temporarily while crews cleared the scene and wreckers removed the cars.
This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement and may not contain the full scope of findings.
Ed. note: On first publish, this report quoted Washington City Police spokesman Ed Kantor stating that the driver of the Lexus was not injured in the crash. The driver, Eric Bowen, later clarified to St. George News that he was, in fact, injured. Report revised accordingly.
Click on photo to enlarge it, then use your left-right arrow keys to cycle through the gallery.
A Lexus is damaged following a collision on state Route 9 involving a Utah Highway Patrol trooper, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2017 | Photo courtesy Eric Bowen, St. George News
A Lexus is damaged following a collision on state Route 9 involving a Utah Highway Patrol trooper, Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2017 | Photo courtesy Eric Bowen, St. George News
Emergency personnel respond to the scene of a crash involving a Utah Highway Patrol trooper in Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2017 | Photo by Joseph Witham, St. George News
Emergency personnel respond to the scene of a crash involving a Utah Highway Patrol trooper in Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2017 | Photo by Joseph Witham, St. George News
Emergency personnel respond to the scene of a crash involving a Utah Highway Patrol trooper in Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2017 | Photo by Joseph Witham, St. George News
Emergency personnel respond to the scene of a crash involving a Utah Highway Patrol trooper in Washington City, Utah, Nov. 11, 2017 | Photo by Joseph Witham, St. George News
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Failure to yield here is compounded by the red light………distracted driving by one of the folks who are supposed to be keeping us alert………
Favoritism? Where’s the officers ticket for running a red light?
And the cover up begins…
You mean troopers have to obey the law too?
Not in Utah. A few years ago a trooper was going 90 mph on River Rd & 900 S. and killed 2 women going to a church function. He was responding to a snowy crash on I-15 mile marker ~35 or so 30-40 mins after the crash.
No charges or anything for trooper. It’s as if the carnage never happened. Hmmmm.
Ya this will be interesting ,let’s see where this goes, the person that got hit will prob get a ticket for Something they will come up with, I’m sure it wasnt distracted driving by the cop there’s no way Haha Haha
I do find it a double standard when The Person’s Name who (allegedly) ran the red light, is not released, (but the victim’s is) neither is he/she given a ticket at the scene of the Crash? (like us common folk)
With Washington City PD investigating this crash…will this be another case of the Coyotes investigating the Fox and if he was justified in raiding the hen house?
This Trooper will get the heavy hand from administration. The Lexus driver and his doctor will walk to the bank with the state and deposit tax money.
As the victim should…
P.s. if there wasn’t a double standard and a cover up for those in law enforcement that break the law, perhaps the people and victim wouldn’t get high payouts. But I can already tell this is going to be a mess. The victim deserves a high payout. Medical expenses and recovery expenses should be paid 100%.
Shoot, I’m just a little ole ladybug and i have insurance. I’m sure the government pays alot for insurance and has way better insurance than little ole me.
You have the government investigating itself and it will find no wrongdoing.
The highway patrol officer could claim a medical episode, but he is still at fault.
I can think of a coverup and lie…..
The officer had his lights on and was in pursuit when running the red light and the victim did not pull over for emergency vehicle. Therefore, it’s the victims fault for not paying attention.
However, we all know it would have already been reported if that was the case…..and we wait for the b.s. investigation.
Let’s see, the Trooper will get a ticket (you’re an idiot if you think he won’t given the scrutiny of law enforcement now days) , he will get a written reprimand, he will get days off without pay. His insurance could be affected by something that happened at work. Sounds like his punishment will be more than the normal person for making a common mistake that happens everyday.
Ok I’ll go with your he gets a ticket theory. But I disagree with your punishment more than average person theory. And his personal insurance most likely will not be affected. And if he gets time off it most likely will be administrived leaves with pay.
Take a truck driver or any other person that drives a company vehicle and gets in an accident. They will gey reprimanded, they will get a ticket and thay may even get time o ff unpaid…..not more than average punishment in your theory….try again…
Anybody out here that has driven a company vehicle and got in an accident, would like to chime in on the punishment?
He will get time off without pay and a letter of reprimand in his file, the same way most employers deal with employees who break policy’s. Admin paid leave only applies when an investigation is ongoing and they have not determined culpability (such as shootings that may be justified but they don’t know yet). In this case the trooper was clearly in the wrong and will be suspended for an unknown amount of time.
As for insurance it will be reported to the state as an at fault accident (DI9 report) and his insurance rates will go up if his insurance company checks his driving record.
My older brother was a Sgt. with the UHP for 20 years and retired in 2011 and I’ve heard all about these types of things.
TLDR: cop will get punished for running the red light by supervisors, we will not hear about the punishment publicly. Cop’s insurance will go up when his insurance renews the policy and finds the accident on his record.
Thank you for your input. Sounds fair.
In no way, should this officer lose his job. UHP should just pay for the victims medical care, his car, wages lost, and money for pain and suffering….make the victim whole again.
And in no way, should the victim exploit the UHP and ask for millions. Don’t be greedy.