ST. GEORGE — A California truck driver’s coffee stop had St. George police scratching their heads Sunday evening after the driver parked his semitrailer in a busy lane of traffic and then made an illegal U-turn which resulted in a collision with another vehicle.
Just before 7 p.m., the driver of the semitrailer decided to exit Interstate 15 and stop at Starbucks located at 158 N. Red Cliffs Drive for some coffee, St. George Police Sgt. Dave Williams said, and parked his 53-foot semitrailer in the right northbound traffic lane of Red Cliffs Drive.
“Apparently he felt that was the best place to park was in the middle of the lane of travel,” Williams said. “The explanation he gave us was there were other lanes to be used, and people could have used those.”
After the driver got his coffee, he got back in the illegally parked truck and attempted to make a U-turn in the middle of the heavily-traveled street and collided with a Mitsubishi Galant traveling south.
Gold Cross Ambulance was called to the scene as a precaution, Williams said, but no injuries resulted from the collision.
The truck driver was issued a citation for improper U-turn and impeding traffic, Williams said.
This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.
Ed. note: Corrected address of incident.
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Really? The truck driver is suppose to be a “professional.” He may as well have gone through the drive-thru! Our PD need to carry scissors and cut up the licenses of stupid people. Call them a cab and send them home!
i can picture some idiot st george driver running into the truck after it was already in the road. Should of took a cab…
I don’t think the driver of the car was an idiot… The semi truck busted an illegal U-turn into oncoming traffic right in front of them… The car didn’t really have a choice- they slammed on their breaks but couldn’t slow down enough to avoid impact with the semi who was mid u-turn. We almost hit the semi too but luckily we didn’t.
LOL. St George born California driver I bet that was on the open book test.. Should a tooked a cab eh.? LOL
I was in chuck o Rama eating dinner and witness this mess it was way worse than the news commented! Anyhow I was sitting in a booth next to window when I saw this truck pull up and park in middle of the lane then puts on his hazards and pushes up hood as if he was broke down, then he and his wife proceed to walk away and one goes in star bucks while the other goes in smash burger… There gone for some time mean while I watched 3-4 cars nearly slam into the back of the truck as I get out my phone to call the police the couple start walking back to truck so I figured no harm done at this point? We are finished with dinner at this point and head for the door which I then notice the truck was still there with the hood closed but the hazards still on, then it starts to pull away but only to my amazement flips a u-turn right in the middle of the road during our busy afternoon traffic! Needless to say the poor kid had no chance in world avoiding the collision! That driver clearly makes a habit of this dangerous illegal parking maneuver to stop and pick up food or beverage To then only get a ticket then be allowed to hop on the highway and drive on down the road??? Scary…
To the poor kid I hope your mom didn’t kill you & if you need anything at all later for court or anything you have my number.