‘We have our fair share of crashes on Dixie Drive’: Driver cited following 2-vehicle collision

ST. GEORGE — Emergency personnel were dispatched to the scene of a crash at 680 South and Dixie Drive at approximately 5:40 p.m. Monday and arrived to find a silver Toyota Tacoma stuck near the center of the intersection and a black Kia Optima that was moved to the north shoulder.

The Kia Optima that initiated the collision sustained major damage to its engine compartment and front bumper on the passenger side, St. George, Utah, Dec. 13, 2021 | Photo by Ammon Teare, St. George News

St. George Police Sgt. Brett Huish said the crash occurred as the 39-year-old woman driving the Optima was attempting to cross three lanes and join traffic heading north, ultimately colliding with the Tacoma on its passenger side.

“It looks like she was turning left onto Dixie Drive, while the truck was southbound,” Huish said. “For whatever reason, she didn’t see the truck and failed to yield, so she was cited for failure to yield.”

St. George Police Officer Tiffany Mitchell said the Tacoma’s sole occupant – a 42-year-old female – escaped serious injury largely due to the point of impact. The woman driving the Optima told St. George News that she and her two young sons, who were also in the vehicle, were also uninjured.

Mitchell said the circumstances of the crash are familiar, particularly along Dixie Drive and nearby Valley View Drive, due to a number of recurring factors.

The rear axle of the Toyota Tacoma involved in Monday’s crash snapped as a result of the collision, St. George, Utah, Dec. 13, 2021 | Photo by Ammon Teare, St. George News

“I think we have our fair share of crashes on Dixie Drive, for sure,” Mitchell said. “We already know that people are going faster than they should, and there are not many stop lights. Left turns are always tricky for people: Maybe they’re underestimating the speed of oncoming traffic or they’re distracted when they turn.”

Noting the uptick in traffic and accidents during the holiday season, Huish said drivers should give themselves ample time to make decisions when preparing to turn and to double-check their surroundings.

Both vehicles were inoperable following the crash with the truck’s rear axle breaking upon impact. Tow trucks were called in to remove the vehicles, and all lanes of Dixie Drive were reopened around 6:10 p.m. 

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

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2021, all rights reserved.

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