UHP: Car hydroplanes on wet roadway, collides with another vehicle on I-15 near New Harmony

CEDAR CITY — One person was airlifted to the hospital following a traffic collision in rainy conditions on Interstate 15 near New Harmony.

Emergency responders prepare an injured person for transport via Life Flight following a collision on Interstate 15 near New Harmony, Utah, July 14, 2024 | Photo courtesy of New Harmony Fire Department, St. George News / Cedar City News

The incident, which was reported at approximately 5:17 p.m. Sunday, involved a blue 2008 Honda Fit and a lime green 2024 Mini Cooper.

Utah Highway Patrol Lt. Clay Allred said the driver of the Honda was heading northbound on I-15 near mile marker 42 when the car hydroplaned on the wet roadway, sending it across the median and into the southbound lanes, where it was struck in the rear by the Mini Cooper.

After being treated at the scene by first responders, one of the two occupants of the Honda was reportedly transported via Life Flight helicopter to St. George Regional Hospital. Additionally, both of the occupants of the Mini Cooper were taken to the hospital via Gold Cross Ambulance, officials said.

As of Monday afternoon, there have been no updates given on the medical condition of any of those injured.

Screenshot from a UDOT traffic camera shows southbound Interstate 15 traffic backed up after a collision near New Harmony, Utah, July 14, 2024 | Image courtesy of Utah Department of Transportation, St. George News / Cedar City News

Both the Honda and the Mini Cooper sustained significant damage and were towed from the scene.

Allred said a third car, a Kia Forte, sustained minor damage to one of its rear-view mirrors but nobody was injured in that vehicle.

Traffic on southbound I-15 was impacted for approximately 90 minutes while the scene was investigated and cleared, including full closure of both southbound lanes for at least a half hour, officials said.

In addition to multiple Utah Highway Patrol troopers and Iron County Sheriff’s deputies, personnel from New Harmony Fire Department and Cedar City Fire Department also responded to the scene.

This report is based on preliminary statements from first responders or law enforcement officials and may not contain the full scope of findings

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