A semitractor-trailer and an RV are in flames, bringing traffic to a standstill on Interstate 15 near Toquerville, Utah,. Aug. 11, 2021 | Photo courtesy of New Harmony Fire, St. George News
TOQUERVILLE — A crash involving a produce semitractor-trailer, a car and a recreational vehicle shut down both sides of Interstate 15 near Toquerville on Wednesday afternoon, disrupting travel along the main thoroughfare between St. George and Cedar City.
The crash, which took place around 4:50 p.m., near milepost 31, left the RV in flames and multiple fire agencies racing to put the fire out. While the fire was extinguished by 7:30 p.m., traffic was still limited to one lane on the north I-15 as night fell.
The crash left one person with a minor injury, according to officers. No one else was injured but the RV, semi and the unidentified vehicle were all total losses.
Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Cameron Roden said the crash was a chain reaction, starting with the semi.
“The semi rear-ended a car and it also hit a motorhome,” Roden said. “All of the occupants were able to get out. One in fair condition but they weren’t too badly hurt.”
Roden said he wasn’t sure whether the car was following the RV or was connected to it.
By 6 p.m., one lane of the southbound side of I-15 was reopened. The remaining lanes on both sides of the interstate remained closed and were expected to stay so into the night, Officer Tiffany Atkin, with the St. George Police, said in a statement.
A neighbor near the site of the crash described to St. George News seeing flames and a black tower of smoke sailing into the air. With the interstate at a standstill, truckers were seen getting out of their vehicles and talking on their phones.
“There were several propane tanks in the RV they were concerned about,” Roden said. “The fire was fairly substantial.”
By 6:15 p.m., some vehicles on the northbound side were starting to be moved through.
As of 8 p.m., the northbound side remained limited to one lane with trucks and cars on the north 15 moving just feet at a time. The southbound side was fully open.
Several fire agencies responded along with the Utah Highway Patrol including firefighters from Hurricane and the Harmony Valley Fire District.
This report is based on statements from police, emergency personnel or other responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.
Updated 8:25 p.m., Aug. 11: Additional details from Utah Highway Patrol.
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Traffic is stopped on Interstate 15 near Toquerville, Utah, after a collision between a produce truck and an RV left the RV in flames. Aug. 11, 2021 | Photo by Chris Reed, St. George News
A trucker gets out to use his phone as traffic is stopped on Interstate 15 near Toquerville, Utah, after a collision between a produce truck and an RV left the RV in flames. Aug. 11, 2021 | Photo by Chris Reed, St. George News
Traffic is stopped on Interstate 15 near Toquerville, Utah, after a collision between a produce semitractor-trailer and an RV left the RV in flames. Aug. 11, 2021 | Photo by Chris Reed, St. George News
An RV and semitractor-trailer are in flames, bringing traffic to a standstill on Interstate 15 near Toquerville, Utah,. Aug. 11, 2021 | Photo by Clint Chaston, St. George News
An RV and semitractor-trailer are in flames, bringing traffic to a standstill on Interstate 15 near Toquerville, Utah,. Aug. 11, 2021 | Photo by Clint Chaston, St. George News
A semitractor-trailer and an RV are in flames, bringing traffic to a standstill on Interstate 15 near Toquerville, Utah,. Aug. 11, 2021 | Photo courtesy of New Harmony Fire, St. George News
A semitractor-trailer and an RV are in flames, bringing traffic to a standstill on Interstate 15 near Toquerville, Utah,. Aug. 11, 2021 | Photo courtesy of New Harmony Fire, St. George News
A semitractor-trailer and an RV are in flames, bringing traffic to a standstill on Interstate 15 near Toquerville, Utah,. Aug. 11, 2021 | Photo courtesy of New Harmony Fire, St. George News
Traffic is stopped on Interstate 15 near Toquerville, Utah, after a collision between a produce semitractor-trailer and an RV left the RV in flames. Aug. 11, 2021 | Photo by Chris Reed, St. George News
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chris Reed serves as a reporter for St. George News, where he has been honored with several awards from the Society of Professional Journalists for his work, including first-place accolades. He started his journalism career as a sports reporter and editor in Southern California where he once compared shoe sizes with Shaquille O'Neal and exchanged mix tapes with members of the Los Angeles Kings. After growing up in the San Fernando Valley learning karate skills from Mr. Miyagi and spending a decade in Las Vegas mostly avoiding the casinos, he came to St. George for love and married his soulmate, a lifetime Southern Utah resident. He is the proud father of two boys, his youngest a champion against both autism and Type 1 diabetes.