Suspected impaired driver hits light pole and building in St. George, lands on parked cars

ST. GEORGE — Authorities are investigating a suspected impaired driver who allegedly careened off the road, launching his vehicle into the air and colliding with the second story of an apartment building before landing on two parked cars Sunday morning.

The second story of an apartment building shows damage after a suspected impaired driver crashed in St. George, Utah, June 2, 2024 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

St. George Police Sgt. Jeremy Needles detailed an incident involving a blue Chevrolet Camaro. According to Needles, the vehicle was observed traveling northbound at around 5:30 a.m. Witnesses and preliminary investigations indicate that the Camaro was moving at a high rate of speed. There were also indications that the driver may have been impaired at the time, contributing to the dangerous driving behavior, Needles said.

“He left the curbing where those yellow tags start,” Needles said, pointing to the scene where members of the Accident Reconstruction Team were working. “They hit a light pole and took it out, which tweaked it sideways, went between two cars then hit the berm above it and then went up into the second story of the building. Then the car came back and landed on two vehicles.”

The driver was transported to St. George Regional Hospital following the incident. Upon arrival, medical staff assessed his condition and determined that he required urgent surgical procedures. 

“He’s got multiple fractures in the neck, multiple broken bones with agonal breathing,” Needles said.

The Accident Reconstruction Team and other responders work the scene of a crash involving a suspected impaired driver, St. George, Utah, June 2, 2024 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

The driver is currently undergoing surgery, and no further details on his condition have been released. No other individuals were involved in the crash, according to Needles. He is unaware of any circumstances involving residents of the apartments. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are still gathering information on the events leading up to the incident.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office, along with the St. George Police Department and the Hurricane Police Department, responded to the scene. Dominion Energy crews were also present to address damaged utilities.

Dixie Drive Closure Alert: as of 9 a.m., roads shut down between 100 N. and 360 N. Seek alternate routes for commuting.

This report is based on statements from court records, police or other responders and may not contain the full scope of findings. 

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