2 cars collide almost head-on; loose gravel a factor

Two cars collide almost head-on Monday evening on Riverside Drive. St. George, Utah, May 1, 2017 | Photo by Ric Wayman, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — A Mustang coming around a bend on Riverside Drive just east of Heritage Elementary School Monday evening lost control and slid into the oncoming lane of traffic, striking a Toyota almost head-on.

Two cars collide almost head-on Monday evening on Riverside Drive. St. George, Utah, May 1, 2017 | Photo by Ric Wayman, St. George News

“About 6:32 this evening I was dispatched to a crash here on Riverside Drive about 900 East,” St. George Police Officer Jamison Hale said. “The vehicle that was traveling westbound was a 2007 Ford Mustang, coming around the corner up here by the Doctor’s Free Clinic, lost control of the vehicle, crossed the center lane and hit an oncoming car coming eastbound.”

Advisory signs were out on Riverside Drive stating there was loose gravel on the road and that while the speed limit on the road was 40 mph, the advisory speed with the loose gravel was 25 mph. Indeed, the sound of loose gravel was evident on the road as the passing cars crunched over it.

Hale said no injuries were reported on the scene. Both cars received heavy front end damage and had to be towed from the scene. Hale added that the male driver of the Mustang had one female passenger with him and the female driver of the Toyota had one passenger as well.

Two cars collide almost head-on Monday evening on Riverside Drive. St. George, Utah, May 1, 2017 | Photo by Ric Wayman, St. George News

Hale said the Mustang driver had just moved to St. George from Oregon one week ago.

“A citation was issued to the driver of the westbound (Mustang) for failure to keep in his proper lane.” Hale said. “Normal speed on this road is 40, but you take it too fast and (your car) can’t handle it. Rock chipping, the safest speed is 25.”

Units from the St. George Police and Fire departments and Gold Cross Ambulance were called to the scene. Traffic was slowed on Riverside Drive for about 45 minutes while investigation and cleanup took place.

This report is based on personal observation and preliminary information provided by law enforcement or other emergency responders. It may not contain the full scope of findings.

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Twitter: @STGnews | @NewsWayman

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

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9 Comments

  • Lastdays May 1, 2017 at 9:43 pm

    Chip Sealing roads in City limits ??
    That stuff is for 2 lane roads out in the county or lonely state roads between various hick towns.
    Grow up St George ! The residents shouldn’t have to put up with this crap every year.

    • darkgoddess May 2, 2017 at 4:45 am

      My thoughts exactly! Our county in AR did that – out in the COUNTY, not within city limits. Riverside Dr. is not an old country lane. Besides, who wants oil slung all over the fenders, not to mention rock chips. Just ridiculous!

  • Be Happy May 2, 2017 at 6:47 am

    I thought I was in dust storm on the plains of the Midwest when I approached Riverside Road yesterday. Then I thought I was at a “dodge chip” game in my car when I got on the road. I know for sure I was in a NASCAR race with everyone speeding to get off the road disaster.
    Laying tar followed by rock chip and then a citizen privilege to pack it down with the tires on our cars is amazing. Best of all…the chip process we are involuntarily involved in does not make the road better or more even.
    I don’t know what to think but – St. George spending is not on resurfacing streets. Bad decision St. George Bureaucrats.

  • JOSH DALTON May 2, 2017 at 7:45 am

    I guessing the city is going to pay for my new brakes, rotors and windshield! I thought these big trucks out here are supposed to have mud flaps and not travel 60mph on loose gravel. Why have they not covered this area with water, in the morning you can’t see because of dust, the same for the evening! They have raised the tax on my cigarettes to pay for road maint. and its just getting worse!

  • Caveat_Emptor May 2, 2017 at 8:51 am

    Chip seal is a cost effective way to get a decent road surface, after you fill in the underlying potholes and cracks. The inconvenience is temporary, and 25 mph is only a minor nuisance. Taxpayers should be happy.

  • utahdiablo May 2, 2017 at 9:08 pm

    Good Ol’ Boys at it again….. repave the road aholes, not chip seal it….what, not enough money coming into your slush funds from the 1,000’s of new houses being built everywhere?

  • old school May 2, 2017 at 9:40 pm

    Ditto, ditto and ditto! Chip seal is an antiquated outdated cheap lazy solution. It’s sloppy, it’s dangerous and it doesn’t last very long. Someone needs to investigate who’s getting paid under the table, I can’t believe a legitimate official would authorize anything like that!!! $$$

  • KCM May 3, 2017 at 3:08 pm

    I’m surprised that no one mentioned anything about the noise levels inside the vehicle when driving on these roads. I’m completely baffled as to why this is a solution for anything. Its hard on tires, it causes people who travel on the road to have to buy tires more often, not to mention the cost for windshield and paint chip repairs. There are so many roads in Saint George that need to be resurfaced, but all I ever see is gravel. Are we ever going to see a real solution? The entire length of Riverside drive is nothing but a rough series of patchwork from the late 90’s on. Show me your on board with proper road maintenance St. George and I’ll be happy to vote “FOR” a tax initiative that works instead of against it.

    • comments May 3, 2017 at 7:38 pm

      I think ur on to something. They’re using chip seal as a punishment for the public voting down their last tax grab extravaganza. lol

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