Simultaneous lane change Friday evening overturns car and semi causing traffic delays on I-15

The scene of an alleged accident at milepost 15 on I-15 in Washington County on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022 | Photo courtesy of UHP for St. George News

ST. GEORGE — Two northbound and one southbound lane of Interstate 15 had to be closed for several hours in Washington County on Friday evening to clear the scene of a wreck.

The scene of an accident at milepost 15 on I-15 in Washington County on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022 | Photo courtesy of UHP for St. George News

At approximately 6:30 p.m., one passenger vehicle and one semi-tractor trailer were traveling northbound on I-15 just past the Hurricane exit, near milepost 15. Both vehicles tried to merge into the center lane at the same time from opposite sides of the roadway and collided, Utah Highway Patrol Cpl. Tara Wahlberg said.

“The semi was in the right lane and changed lanes into the middle lane,” Wahlberg said. “At the same time, the passenger car changed lanes from the left lane into the middle.”

Wahlberg said the incident caused the truck and trailer to cross through the median into southbound traffic where both turned over onto the driver’s side before coming to a stop. The driver and passenger of the semi were both treated for minor injuries.

The passenger car came to a stop in the northbound lane, Wahlberg said.

Both vehicles were towed from the scene that was fully cleared by 9:30 p.m., Wahlberg said.

“There were no injuries to the driver of the passenger car,” she said.

Updated Dec. 4, New information from the Utah Highway Patrol concerning direction of travel of the vehicles.

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

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

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