‘At least twice a month we see a wreck at Riverside and 270 East’: red-light runner causes latest crash

ST. GEORGE — Just a few days removed from a deadly crash involving two cyclists and a driver allegedly experiencing a medical emergency, similar circumstances have led to another crash – with vehicles as the only casualties this time.

St. George Police Officer Eric Trombley said he was on his way to respond to another call when he happened upon the aftermath of a two-vehicle collision at the intersection Riverside Drive and 270 East. 

Arriving around 2:15 p.m., Trombley was joined by other first responders as they found a red Toyota Tacoma and a maroon Chevy Traverse stopped facing oncoming traffic on Riverside Drive. The female driver of the Traverse reportedly was experiencing medical distress and was evaluated by paramedics at the scene.

“Unfortunately, the driver (herself) was having a medical condition while driving eastbound, went through a red light and then they collided,” Trombley said. “The woman in the Chevy doesn’t appear to have any injuries, it’s just a matter of her mental status.”

Security camera footage shared by Bedrock Quartz, whose storefront faces the intersection, shows the Traverse continuing through the intersection after the light turned red and vehicles in a turning lane just ahead already stopped.

The Toyota Tacoma that was struck by a red-light running Chevy Traverse sustained damage to its fender, engine compartment and axle, St. George, Utah, April 11, 2022 | Photo courtesy by Ammon Teare, St. George News

The Tacoma and what appeared to be a Cadillac crossover entered the intersection heading north, traveling side by side until the driver of the crossover apparently noticed the oncoming Traverse and slammed on the brakes.

Instead of colliding with the Cadillac, the Traverse struck the driver’s side wheel well and engine compartment of the Tacoma, coming to a stop a short distance ahead of the truck. The two drivers were the only occupants in each vehicle at the time, and the adult man operating the Tacoma was unharmed, according to police.

Eyewitnesses from nearby businesses came out into the street to share statements with police and to see what caused the commotion. Jon Heck, outside sales representative with Bedrock Quartz, shared the business’ camera footage with police and told St. George News about the area’s traffic record.

“I’ve been with Bedrock for almost three years now, and I would say at least twice a month we see a wreck at Riverside and 270 East,” Heck said. “To turn into our storefront … I always flip my blinker on way early, kind of tap my brakes and start slowing down so that I don’t get hit. We haven’t held any events here lately because it’s such a rough road.” 

Paramedics with Gold Cross Ambulance treat the woman who was allegedly driving a red Chevy Traverse that ran a red light and collided with another vehicle on Monday afternoon, St. George, Utah, April 11, 2022 | Photo courtesy by Ammon Teare, St. George News

The investigation is ongoing, and Trombley said no citation has been issued at this time. Twisted axles beneath each vehicle required towing to clear the scene, with firefighters from the St. George Fire Department and paramedics with Gold Cross Ambulance assisted in the response. 

To facilitate the cleanup and keep first responders safe, the interior lane of Riverside Drive was closed for a few hundred feet before the intersection. Westbound traffic backed up for several blocks until the scene was cleared around 3:05 p.m.

While medically-related accidents are relatively rare, collisions are on the rise generally, Trombley said.

“Almost all intersections in St. George are starting to get bad now,” he said. “We just have a lot of people who seem to be in a hurry. Even if you do have a green light, just make sure you’re checking both sides before you enter that intersection. When you’re going through, cover the brake instead of hitting the gas. Little things like that will help you possibly stop a wreck instead of getting into one.”

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

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