Contraflow driver arrested following collision with tractor-trailer on I-15 freeway in Cedar City – St George News

Destroyed Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck at the scene of a collision off I-15 Exit 59, Cedar City, Utah, August 10, 2022 | Photo courtesy of Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News/Cedar City News

CEDAR TOWN — A pickup truck driver was arrested early Wednesday following a wrong-way collision on an off-ramp from Interstate 15 in Cedar City.

Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Scott Mackelprang said the accident happened just before 12:45 p.m. and involved a tractor-trailer and a new model Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck.

Mackelprang said the driver of the semiconductor was heading north on I-15 and was in the process of taking exit 59 when the semiconductor was hit almost head-on by the Chevrolet truck, which was coming up the ramp in the opposite direction.

No driver was injured, Mackelprang said.

Mackelprang told Cedar City News that the responding soldier found the driver of the Silverado to be intoxicated and the man was arrested for impaired driving.

Iron County Jail records show Jeffrey Parker was arrested at 3:30 a.m. Wednesday on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, having an open container of alcohol in a vehicle and driving the wrong way on a one-way road.

Traffic was impacted for about 15 minutes while the scene was clear, Mackelprang added. The Silverado sustained extensive front and driver side damage and had to be towed.

Unrelated SR-56 crash

Several hours later and just over a mile west, UHP soldiers also responded to a collision between two cars at the intersection of Lund Highway (3100 West) and State Route 56.

Mackelprang said around 7:30 a.m. a second crash occurred involving a Honda passenger car and an SUV.

The driver of the Honda was reportedly turning left on a green turn arrow at 3100 West on eastbound SR-56 when he was struck by the SUV, which was heading west.

“The SUV ran the red light and collided with the Honda Civic,” Mackelprang said, adding that the SUV driver received a citation for not stopping at the red light.

“Very minor” injuries were reported and no one was taken to hospital, Mackelprang added.

This report is based on statements from court documents and law enforcement officials and may not contain the full conclusions. Those arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty by a court or until a trier of fact decides otherwise.

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