ST. GEORGE — A man was transported to the hospital Friday night after he was found unconscious in his vehicle following a single-vehicle accident at the Sports Village condominiums in St. George.
At 9:43 p.m., witnesses reported an accident at Sports Village, located at 860 S. Village Road. A 34-year-old man was driving a Mitsubishi passenger car southbound on Village Road when he left the roadway and hit a multi-unit mailbox. He then returned to the roadway, traveled an additional 100 feet and crashed into a garage, St. George Police Sgt. David Williams said.
“We heard him hit the mailbox and then saw him, from our front door, when he hit the building,” witness Chelsea Killpack said.
The driver was unconscious when emergency responders arrived on scene, Williams said. He was transported to Dixie Regional Medical Center by Gold Cross Ambulance with head injuries. At the time of this publication, Williams did not know the severity of the man’s injuries.
The scene was still being processed by St. George Police officers at the time Williams spoke with St. George News, but he said police investigators believe the driver was under the influence of alcohol and possibly drugs at the time of the incident.
“We have found alcohol in the car,” Williams said. “So, although we are still investigating, alcohol seems to be a factor as well as possible drugs.”
Damage to the Mitsubishi was limited to a scuff on the front bumper, while the garage the man crashed into had a huge gash as a result of the collision. The cost of the damages to the mailbox and garage was unknown at the time of this publication.
Citations in the incident are pending as the investigation continues and the driver receives medical attention. Williams said a citation for driving under the influence may be given.
Due to the condition of the driver, he was not able to perform a field sobriety test at the accident scene. That procedure and any needed medical treatment will be administered at the hospital, Williams said. Whether the man will be booked into the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility was uncertain at the time of this publication.
“Obviously, making sure they are in good health is more important than worrying about getting them booked,” Williams said.
A St. George Police officer followed the ambulance to the hospital, as the possibility of drug and alcohol involvement was present. The driver will remain in the Police Department’s custody until he is either booked into jail or cited and released, Williams said.
In DUI cases, if medical attention takes many hours, an officer may cite an individual instead of booking the person — especially if the officer is needed elsewhere and staying at the hospital with a DUI suspect is of secondary importance to other police duties, Williams said. However, the suspect’s tests are submitted to the judge, and the person goes through the same prosecution process as any DUI suspect.
The St. George Fire Department, St. George Police Department and Gold Cross Ambulance attended to the accident 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.
Click on photo to enlarge it, then use your left-right arrow keys to cycle through the gallery.
The aftermath of a Mitsubishi hitting into a garage wall, St. George, Utah, Dec. 26, 2014 | Photo by Holly Coombs, St. George News
The aftermath of a Mitsubishi hitting into a garage wall, St. George, Utah, Dec. 26, 2014 | Photo by Holly Coombs, St. George News
Gold Cross Ambulance transports a man to Dixie Regional Medical Center after his involvement in a car accident, St. George, Utah, Dec. 26, 2014 | Photo by Holly Coombs, St. George News
St. George Police officers examine a Mitsubishi after the driver of the vehicle crashed into a garage at Sports Village, St. George, Utah, Dec. 26, 2014 | Photo by Holly Coombs, St. George News
The aftermath of a Mitsubishi hitting into a garage wall, St. George, Utah, Dec. 26, 2014 | Photo by Holly Coombs, St. George News
The aftermath of a Mitsubishi hitting into a garage wall, St. George, Utah, Dec. 26, 2014 | Photo by Holly Coombs, St. George News
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Maybe a stray dog or feral cat ran out in front of him, and he swerved to avoid hitting it. His quick thinking may have saved a stray cat or feral dog, and then he fainted at the thought of it. Lawd forbid he strike a stray dog or feral cat in these parts of the country. Them Dixie folk would have his head if he kilt one. Punishment would be more severe than if he was caught dancing.
If you need a good laugh each day, just take a look at those that are arrested.
LMAO!