Driver startled by semi loses control of vehicle, flips trailer on I-15

A travel trailer flipped on its side following a crash on I-15, near milepost 29, Toquerville, Utah, Feb. 17, 2015 | Photo courtesy of the Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News

TOQUERVILLE — A married couple on their way to Arizona were thrown off course Tuesday afternoon when a semitrailer passed alongside them on southbound Interstate 15, at milepost 29, near Toquerville, causing the wife driving a Trailblazer pulling a travel trailer to lose control of the vehicle.

A camp trailer lays on its left side following its crash on I-15, near Toquerville, Utah, Feb. 17, 2015 | Photo courtesy of Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News
A travel trailer flipped on its side after a driver loses control on I-15, near milepost 29, Toquerville, Utah, Feb. 17, 2015 | Photo courtesy of the Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News

At approximately 3 p.m., the woman and her husband, who were traveling from Boise, Idaho to Yuma, Arizona, were in the right-hand lane on I-15 when a semitrailer passed them in the left-hand lane, Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Jake Hicks said. The impact from the air in passing threw the woman driver off guard and she lost control of her vehicle.

The travel trailer they were pulling, whipped from side-to-side, hit the guard rail, jackknifed and landed on its side as the driver overcorrected, attempting to regain control of the vehicle, he said.

The man and woman were both wearing their seat belts and no injuries were reported, Hicks said.

A Chevrolet Trailblazer sustained damage following collision on I-15, near milepost 29, Toquerville, Utah, Feb. 17, 2015 | Photo courtesy of the Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News
A Chevrolet Trailblazer sustained damage following collision on I-15, near milepost 29, Toquerville, Utah, Feb. 17, 2015 | Photo courtesy of the Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News

The Trailblazer sustained moderate damage, while the travel trailer was totaled.

No citations were issued, Hicks said.

The right southbound traffic lane was closed for approximately an hour, slowing and backing up traffic for about three miles, Hicks said. The lane was reopened just after 4:30 p.m.

Utah Department of Transportation, Utah Highway Patrol, Leeds Fire Department and Washington County Sheriff’s Office attended to the scene.

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

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1 Comment

  • LunchboxHero February 18, 2015 at 11:46 am

    Dang truckers. [rim shot!]

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