Distracted driving: Saturn sandwiched between 2 Fords in 4-vehicle collision

4-vehicle collision at 200 North and Bluff Street slows traffic, St. George, Utah, April 16, 2014 | Photo by Jaqueline Lerner, St. George News

ST. GEORGE – One car was sandwiched between two vehicles after alleged distracted driving resulted in a 4-vehicle collision on Bluff Street Wednesday afternoon. Although the driver was ultimately cited for distracted driving, she repeatedly told the officer at the scene, “I swear that I was not texting.”

The collision involved one female driver of a Ford Explorer SUV, one female driver of a white Saturn passenger car, one female driver with two passengers in a Ford F150 truck, and one male driver of a Chevrolet S-10 truck.

At approximately 12:56 p.m., moderately-heavy traffic going northbound on Bluff Street was backing up from the red light at 300 North, St George Police Officer Tyrell Bangerter said.

“The Gray SUV coming northbound from St. George Boulevard in the outside lane hit the Saturn, pushing the Saturn into the Ford pickup,” Bangerter said, “which pushed the Ford pickup into the Chevy pickup.”

Though the children passengers of the Ford F150 truck were crying and visibly shaken, they did not sustain any reported injuries.

“There were some minor injuries on the driver that caused the crash and the driver of the Ford pickup,” Bangerter said. “Everybody else seemed to be okay.”

The driver of the Ford F150 was transferred to the hospital by private vehicle, Bangerter said.

Both northbound traffic lanes were closed for approximately 40 minutes while crews cleared the debris and towed the Saturn passenger car from the scene.

“Evidence collected on scene shows that the driver of the Ford Explorer was texting at the time of the crash,” Bangerter said. “She was cited for that and following too close.”

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

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13 Comments

  • Paul April 16, 2014 at 5:32 pm

    Hmmmmmmm seems odd

    • Simone April 17, 2014 at 2:44 am

      Yes it seems extremely odd that someone from here would be texting while operating a 3000+pound motor vehicle in moderately heavy traffic. We all know how safe, aware and conscientious of others many driver are around here. No one here ever texts or talks on their cell phone while driving. Evidence collected at the scene showed she was texting. Of course she told the officer “I swear I wasn’t texting”. I think we should believe her because people around here don’t lie either. That’s total sarcasm. Not a day goes by that I don’t see someone texting or talking on their phone while driving. Same goes for lying. Non Mormons do that so they have a chance at surviving and Mormons do it to top each other in their never ending quest to be more “saintly” then everyone who has or will ever exist in the history of the universe and for the rest of eternity.

      • JOSH DALTON April 17, 2014 at 8:19 am

        I luv YOU! You have made my day a great one! The level of cynicism is unmatched by the best of cynisist!

      • combat vet and true jedi warrior April 17, 2014 at 12:33 pm

        After living in 7 states over the years I can honestly conclude that mormons in general are the most dishonest people to do business with. I don’t think they comprehend the meaning of ‘integrity’. It’s strange but true.

  • Dan Lester April 16, 2014 at 9:20 pm

    Not odd that distracted or inattentive driving causes accidents. And following too close and so on. Whatever they call it, whatever they cite her for, she rear ended someone. Her fault. Period.

  • Paul April 16, 2014 at 9:34 pm

    Texting? No that never happens

  • Craig April 17, 2014 at 6:20 am

    Following too closely seems to be a never ending sport in Utah.

  • But Seriously April 17, 2014 at 12:22 pm

    A few days in the county jail is the least she should do.

  • Mia April 17, 2014 at 6:50 pm

    Why is the state of Utah so far behind times and why haven’t we passed legislation
    that it’s against the law to talk on a cell phone while driving? It is my understanding that Governor Herbert just signed, into legislation, that it is illegal to text while driving and….some people were actually angry about that. WHY IS THAT? ARE THEY NUTS or simply don’t care about the rest of us drivers on the road who are cautious and drive defensively. I’ve had so many near-misses because someone was on their cell phone while driving and it isn’t just young people, it’s also middle age men (mostly, more than women) but the young people just don’t have any understanding of the consequences involved. This state has not done much to protect it’s citizens, too long in coming. Why is it we don’t even have a helmet law here when CA has had one in effect for at least 15-20 years and they’ve passed a law several years ago that it’s illegal to drive and be on a cell phone, or texting while driving. They also impose heavy fines if caught doing so. We never seem to fine anyone here for anything stupid or irresponsible they manage to do; never considering the next person they are endangering. WAKE UP UTAH.

    • combat vet and true jedi warrior April 17, 2014 at 11:39 pm

      Stop whining. If you want to feel safe get a big heavy 4×4 truck like everyone else…

    • Simone April 18, 2014 at 3:16 am

      Hopefully soon to be former Governor Herbert has really done only one thing that is good for Utah citizens in his tenure, That was the day he signed this law into effect and that was probably because it was “Mormon approved” Lets take a look a some of the recent changes that affected Utah citizens that old Herbie has weighed in on..

      Law: Mormon Approved Passed
      Gay Marriage No Yes but it’s on appeal
      ObamaCare No No ( Federal Yes)
      Swallow Indictment No Old Herbie pardoned him
      Eased Bigamy Laws Yes Yes

  • philiplo April 18, 2014 at 9:36 am

    Somebody still drives a Saturn?

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