7 vehicles parked near hospital damaged, 1 man goes to jail

ST. GEORGE — A St. George man driving a pickup truck was arrested after allegedly hitting several parked vehicles on Medical Center Drive near Dixie Regional Medical Center Friday.

The driver of this pickup truck allegedly hit seven cars parked near Dixie Regional Medical Center Friday morning, St. George, Utah, Feb. 17, 2017 | Photo courtesy of Renee Sorenson, St. George News

Shortly before 10 a.m. officers responded to a report of an unconscious individual in a pickup truck near 1380 E. Medical Center Drive. When officers arrived they found a white pickup truck smashed into a white Toyota SUV.

Several more parked and unoccupied vehicles leading up to the man’s truck were damaged as well, St. George Police Department’s Public Information Officer Lona Trombley said.

A man inside the pickup truck appeared to be “out of it” and refused to open his car window or door to bystanders who were trying to help him, Trombley said.

“An off-duty police officer arrived on scene first,” Trombley said, “but the male was not cooperating and was pulling his arms away and attempting to stand up and leave.”

The man was later identified as 39-year-old Kelly Coulson of St. George.

Witnesses at the scene allegedly observed Coulson strike multiple vehicles with his pickup truck until he smashed into the Toyota, which left his truck inoperable, Trombley said.

Officers on scene counted seven damaged vehicles. Coulson appeared confused when officers were speaking with him and told the officers he had no memory of hitting any vehicles, she said. Coulson was given a field sobriety test at that point.

Coulson was placed under arrest for suspicion of driving under the influence of a controlled substance. Officers also cited Coulson for reckless driving based on the number of vehicles damaged and the man’s alleged “disregard for the safety of persons or property,” Trombley said.

After being medically cleared, Coulson was transported to Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility.

No injuries were reported.

This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact. 

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2017, all rights reserved.

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4 Comments

  • Lastdays February 18, 2017 at 8:56 am

    So is this the same guy who was convicted of Aggravated Robbery of Green Valley store a few years ago ? Surprised he’s out of prison already. This probably won’t help his probation situation.

    • Sqd February 28, 2017 at 2:48 pm

      How aboit before you run your mouth realize he has been out for three years and terminated parole succesfully.you dont know what happened and no proof of a dui

  • desertflower February 18, 2017 at 10:56 am

    I believe the white car pictured above is a Mazda 3. The Mazda 323 hasn’t been made in 20 years.

  • Sqd February 28, 2017 at 4:14 pm

    There is alot of people in st. George that jump to conclusion without any facts.i know this man and he is doing very well.he has been out of prison for three years and terminated parole succesfully with no violations. He has held the same job for most of that three years.there was no proof for a dui .presumption on someone because of their past is the same as racism. You dont know what happened yet you want to comment lastdays.hope you hold your head high

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