IRON COUNTY — Life Flight airlifted a 38-year-old St. George man to the hospital Saturday afternoon after he was ejected from his vehicle in a rollover at milepost 10 on state Route 14.
Gold Cross Ambulance transported the man two miles east of the accident to Woods Ranch where Life Flight was waiting to airlift him to Dixie Regional Medical Center with serious injuries.
The man, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, was traveling east in Cedar Canyon at approximately 11:30 a.m. when he drifted off to the right side of the road and overcorrected, sending the truck sideways 180 degrees.
The truck skidded for some time before rolling, ejecting the driver. It landed on its side in a water-filled ravine.
Police are investigating the driver for possibly driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, said Utah Highway Patrol Trooper Lt. Steve Esplin.
“There was alcohol and drugs in the truck and scattered in the debris at the scene,” Esplin said.
Once authorities receive the toxicology reports back from the state crime lab, the Iron County Attorney will screen the results to determine whether to file charges, said UHP Trooper Dan Nielson.
Speed may have also played a part in the accident, Nielson added.
It is not known whether the driver was wearing a seat belt at the time.
“That’s still an unknown,” Nielson said. “I have to go back and look at the seat belt because I’m just not sure whether he was or not.”
The Department of Transportation temporarily closed the right lane of traffic for about an hour to allow the tow truck driver a chance to remove the truck from the ravine, UHP Trooper Brian Bairett said.
This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @tracie_sullivan
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2016, all rights reserved.