2 drivers injured in 3-vehicle rear-end collision on SR-56 in Cedar City

Written by Jeff Richards
March 1, 2022

CEDAR CITY — Two drivers were transported to the hospital following a three-vehicle collision in Cedar City on Tuesday afternoon near the intersection of State Route 56 and Lund Highway.

Scene of a three-vehicle rear-end collision near the intersection of SR-56 and Lund Highway, Cedar City, Utah, March 1, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

The crash was reported shortly after 2 p.m. and involved a silver Dodge Ram pickup truck, a white Ford F-350 pickup truck and a white Ford Edge SUV.

Cedar City Police Sgt. Dustin Orton said all three vehicles were heading westbound on SR-56 when the Dodge struck the F-350 from behind, sending it into the back of the Ford Edge and pushing that car into the middle of the intersection.

“So for whatever reason, the vehicle at fault failed to stop,” Orton said, referring to the Dodge.

Immediately following the initial impact, the Dodge pickup veered sharply to the left, crossing over the eastbound lanes and through a chain-link fence before coming to rest approximately 25 feet from the roadway.

The driver of the Dodge, who was seen walking around at the scene with cuts on his head and face, later was taken to the hospital for treatment for unspecified injuries.

One of the other drivers also was injured and transported by ambulance, Orton added. 

Scene of a three-vehicle rear-end collision near the intersection of SR-56 and Lund Highway, Cedar City, Utah, March 1, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

As to whether the Dodge driver was likely to be cited or whether he was being checked for possible impairment, Orton said, “Because it’s an active investigation, I can’t give those details now.”

Traffic in the area was impacted for approximately 90 minutes while the scene was cleared. Eastbound traffic on SR-56 was detoured onto Westview Drive, while one westbound lane on SR-56 remained open.

Both pickup trucks sustained heavy damage, while the Ford Edge had moderate rear-end damage. All three vehicles were towed from the scene.

Responding agencies included Cedar City Police, Iron County Sheriff’s Office, Utah Highway Patrol and Gold Cross Ambulance.

Additionally, Orton noted that due to the large amount of debris that had been strewn across the road, a UDOT snowplow/sweeper truck was brought in to help clear the roadway.

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

Cedar City News reporter Alysha Lundgren contributed to this story.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jeff Richards, a native of Salt Lake City with family roots in Panguitch, lived in Moab for 20 years before joining St. George News in 2017. Jeff is a longtime journalist and secondary school teacher. He and his wife Penny are the parents of five daughters. They also have three young grandsons. Jeff and his family enjoy swimming, camping, sightseeing, reading, and taking pictures.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @stgnews@moabjeff@stgnewssports

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