ST. GEORGE – Two separate vehicle crashes occurred on Interstate 15 near St. George Monday evening.
Cpl. Todd Johnson of the Utah Highway Patrol said the crashes occurred around 5:37 p.m. Just before the incidents, UHP Cedar City Dispatch began receiving calls that two large rolls of insulation had spilled across the northbound lanes of I-15 near milepost 10.
“The insulation was a factor but we’ve got two separate rear-endings,” Johnson said, noting that “following too close” was a factor contributing to each of the accidents.
The first crash occurred when a passenger vehicle beginning to slow down for the spill was rear-ended by another passenger vehicle. A male passenger from the second vehicle was injured and was taken to Las Vegas via Life Flight.
The second crash occurred within a minute of the first crash, and was a repeat of the first incident as one vehicle slowing for the trouble ahead was rear-ended by another vehicle. No injuries were reported from the second crash.
The northbound lanes of I-15 were closed for 30 minutes while Life Flight was on scene. The left lane was closed for one and one-half hours while the investigation was conducted.
Johnson said the male driver of the pickup that lost the rolls of insulation made contact with the UHP. Troopers are following up with that driver.
St. George News Editor-in-Chief Joyce Kuzmanic contributed to this article.
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One of the vehicles involved in the two separate two-car accidents on northbound I-15 at milepost 10, Washington County, Utah, Feb. 11, 2013 | Photo courtesy of the Utah Highway Patrol
One of the vehicles involved in the two separate two-car accidents on northbound I-15 at milepost 10, Washington County, Utah, Feb. 11, 2013 | Photo courtesy of the Utah Highway Patrol
Traffic backed-up due to two separate two-car accidents on northbound I-15 at milepost 10, Washington County, Utah, Feb. 11, 2013 | Photo courtesy of the Utah Highway Patrol
Life Flight responds to transport one injured from one of two two-vehicle accidents on Interstate 15 near milepost 10, Washington County, Utah, Feb. 11, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News
Emergency responders loading injured into Life Flight, responding to two two-vehicle accidents on Interstate 15 near milepost 10, Washington County, Utah, Feb. 11, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News
One vehicle loaded for towing after two two-vehicle accidents on Interstate 15 near milepost 10, Washington County, Utah, Feb. 11, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News
Life Flight heading to Las Vegas, carrying injured from one of two two-vehicle accidents on Interstate 15 near milepost 10, Washington County, Utah, Feb. 11, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News
One of the vehicles damaged in two two-vehicle accidents on Interstate 15 near milepost 10, photographed at the yard after being towed, Washington County, Utah, Feb. 11, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News
Liftoff from Interstate 15 near milepost 10, carrying injured to Las Vegas. Two two-car accidents. Washington County, Utah, Feb. 11, 2013 | Photo by Kevin Sanders, St. George News
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It seems everyone is in such a big hurry and following too close. Its not only aggravating, but obviously dangerous. I wish the drivers in Washington County would get this message. I’m not a slow driver; however, I do stay close to the speed-limits and move over when someone is following to close, hoping there will be a cop up ahead and the offender will atleast get a speeding ticket. Its amazing how many of those same speeding drivers are sitting at the next traffic light when I get there. I like to honk and wave. Some people get the message, but most are clueless.