ST. GEORGE — Two collisions that occurred almost simultaneously Wednesday afternoon in St. George were the result of perhaps the most common cause of local automobile accidents: failure to yield.
“When in doubt, wait it out, right?” St. George Police Sgt. Tyrel Bangerter told St. George News. “Any time you cross a lane of traffic, make sure you are yielding.”
The first collision took place at the intersection of 1450 S. and George Washington Boulevard at 2:55 p.m.
Bangerter said a black Toyota minivan was headed westbound on the boulevard. A Nissan Frontier was coming eastbound, making a left turn ont0 3000 E.
The driver of the Frontier did not yield to the oncoming minivan, Bangerter said, which struck the Frontier as it turned in front of it.
An elderly passenger in the Frontier was taken by ambulance to St. George Regional Hospital. Bangerter said the driver of the Frontier was cited for failure to yield during a left turn.
Both vehicles were towed away and traffic flow returned to normal around 3:40 p.m.
Meanwhile, the second collision occurred at 600 S. and Main Street at 2:57 p.m.
Bangerter said a Jeep was traveling westbound on 600 S. and came to a stop sign. A blue Ford Bronco was driving northbound on Main and the driver of the Jeep didn’t see it coming.
Bangerter said the Jeep pulled into the intersection and struck the Bronco, which rolled at least once, Bangerter said.
The young adult driver of the Jeep had minor injuries to the hands while a middle-aged female passenger had a pelvis injury, Bangerter said.
Both vehicles were towed away and normal traffic flow resumed around 3:45 p.m.
Bangerter said that the driver of the Jeep was cited for failure to yield at a stop sign.
“Sometimes they’re thinking of other things, sometimes they misjudge the distance and speed of oncoming cars,” Bangerter said when asked why these failure to yield accidents seem to be happening so often.
“A lot of times these drivers are distracted,” Bangerter said. “I’m not saying that was the case here, but frequently we see distracted drivers on the phone or just not paying attention. Always check your six, right? Give yourself enough time and always yield to oncoming traffic.”
Photo Gallery
The scene of a collision at 1450 S. and George Washington, St. George, Utah, March 29, 2023 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
The scene of a collision at 1450 S. and George Washington, St. George, Utah, March 29, 2023 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
The scene of a collision at 1450 S. and George Washington, St. George, Utah, March 29, 2023 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
The scene of a collision at 600 S. and Main Street, St. George, Utah, March 29, 2023 | Photo by Joseph Witham, St. George News
The scene of a collision at 600 S. and Main Street, St. George, Utah, March 29, 2023 | Photo by Joseph Witham, St. George News
The scene of a collision at 600 S. and Main Street, St. George, Utah, March 29, 2023 | Photo by Joseph Witham, St. George News
The scene of a collision at 600 S. and Main Street, St. George, Utah, March 29, 2023 | Photo by Joseph Witham, St. George News
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