ST. GEORGE — Three people died late Tuesday afternoon following a head-on collision that occurred about 22 miles southeast of Kanab on state Route 89.
On Tuesday at approximately 5:30 p.m., a head-on collision occurred near milepost 41 approximately 22 miles southeast of Kanab on SR-89, according to a news release issued by the Utah Department of Public Safety.
The identities of the victims were released Wednesday by the DPS; they include:
- Smita Patel, age 64, of Anaheim, California, who was the passenger in the Honda.
- Deana L. Steggell, age 46, of Willard, Utah, who was the driver of the Nissan.
- Male, age 16, of Willard, Utah, who was the passenger in the Nissan.
Leading up to the crash, a white Honda SUV traveling southeast entered an area of slushy road conditions, lost control and entered the north/westbound travel lane, where it collided head-on with a red Nissan Altima, according to the news release.
Authorities say Steggal was pronounced dead at the scene. A 16-year-old boy riding as a passenger in the Nissan was transported by ambulance to the local hospital, where he died.
Patel, the second-row 64-year-old woman in the Honda, also was pronounced dead at the scene, the news release states. The driver of the Honda was transported by ambulance to the local hospital and later flown to an area hospital in critical condition.
The front passenger of the Honda was reportedly transported to a local hospital in an unknown condition. Initial investigation indicates that the front passenger of the Nissan as well as the second-row passenger of the white Honda were not wearing seat belts. No impairment is suspected, the release adds.
Updated March 22, 2023, 8:40 p.m.: Adds identities of victims.