On April 18, 2023, police say a 1990 Chevy pickup truck was overturned by distracted driving on Highway 389 on the Colorado City Line in Colorado, Arizona.Photo Credit: City of Colorado-Hildale Police Department, St. George News
st. George — A vehicle was overturned by distracted driving on Highway 389 in Colorado, Arizona at 12:12 pm Tuesday, police said.
Lieutenant Mark Gower of the City of Colorado and Hildale Police Department said the driver of a 1990 Chevrolet pickup truck, a 24-year-old male driver, was driving westward when he glanced at his cell phone when he slammed into the road. He drove on the right side and said he had overcorrected.
Gower said the driver crossed the oncoming lane and made a 1/4 turn. The vehicle was smoking and the driver was slightly injured but was not taken to hospital.
“The driver was lucky he didn’t get hit head-on as he crossed the driving lane,” Gower said. “Fortunately, he was wearing his seatbelt, so he didn’t get sent off. But it could have been so tragic.”
Gower advises drivers not to look at their cell phones or change radio stations. He said that diverting attention from the road “even for a moment” could ultimately lead to a serious accident.
“People need to keep their eyes on the road,” Gower said, adding that it recently rebranded from Marshal to Police Department. The Marshal name of the city has been used in Arizona since 1880. This title has been held by Wyatt since his Earp, Earp brothers, and OK Ranch shootout reputation.
In December 2022, the Arizona government decided to clear up potential confusion between the U.S. Marshals and the Arizona Sheriff. Although the title of “Marshal” has been withdrawn from many agencies, some retain their historical namesake. According to Tombstone, Arizona, Marshal’s Office, they have not removed the title of Marshal.
Gower said his office works with Utah and Arizona because the towns in Utah and Arizona straddle the border. He added that both states certify police officers as peace officer standard training for police departments in the cities of Colorado and Hildale.
This report is based on statements from police, paramedics or other responders and may not include the full range of findings.
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