8-year-old Enoch boy dies in rollover on I-15

A GMC minivan rests upside down on Interstate 15 after a fatal rollover, Iron County, Utah, Aug. 18, 2018 | Photo courtesy of the Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — A rollover on Interstate 15 near Parowan left a child dead after he was ejected from a vehicle Saturday afternoon.

At around 1:45 p.m., officers and emergency personnel were dispatched to a two-vehicle crash on I-15 northbound at mile marker 81 near Parowan in Iron County involving a silver GMC Venture minivan carrying five occupants, four of them children, and a Toyota Camry with two occupants.

A white Toyota Camry rests against a fence after a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 15 near Parowan, Iron County, Utah, Aug. 18, 2018 | Photo courtesy of the Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News

Upon arrival, emergency medical personnel found that the 8-year-old boy from Enoch was ejected from the minivan during the crash. (See Ed. note)

EMTs performed lifesaving measures, but the boy was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a statement released by Utah Highway Patrol Saturday evening.

The four other occupants in the minivan were transported to Cedar City Hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening. The two occupants in the Toyota were not injured, according to UHP.

The incident occurred while the minivan was traveling north on I-15 and began veering toward the outside shoulder. According to UHP, the driver pulled the wheel to the left, and the vehicle went sliding back onto the roadway where it struck the Toyota traveling in the same direction.

The impact sent the Toyota careening off the road before it smashed into a fence and came to rest.

Meanwhile, the minivan continued to slide across the interstate and rolled before coming to rest upside-down and partially blocking both northbound lanes.

All occupants involved in the crash were reported to be wearing seat belts, but investigators are looking into the possibility that the boy was wearing his seat belt incorrectly, or that it didn’t fit him properly.

This report is based on statements from police and may not contain the full scope of findings.

Ed. note:  The name of the 8-year-old boy involved in the crash was originally included in this report after careful consideration and with all due respect to the community; however, it has since been removed at the request of family.

 

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2018, all rights reserved.

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4 Comments

  • Naomi August 18, 2018 at 11:25 pm

    Dear Cody, I just needed to let you know that I was really disappointed with you writing about an accident that occurred on I-15 it didn’t bother me that you reported on an accident however I felt like the minor child was named in this article and shouldn’t have been. I would hope that someone would not do this to you should your young granddaughter be in a vehicle that was in an accident. I am the grandmother of the child involved and felt that it was totally unnecessary and inconsiderate of you and pray that you never have to morn the loss of a grandchild. The family is in turmoil and feel that this is very hard on the other children . I am so glad that my other grandchildren didn’t read this article. And have to re-live it all over again. Sincerely, Naomi Lamb.

    • Avatar photo Paul Dail August 19, 2018 at 1:11 pm

      Ms. Lamb,

      We are so sorry for your loss. As the father of an 8-year-old daughter, I can only imagine the grief your family is experiencing.

      Please know that our reporter did not mean any disrespect or to cause additional grief. The decision to include your grandson’s name was given great consideration. However, we have adjusted the report at your request.

      Again, my sincerest condolences.

      Paul Dail
      Editor in chief

    • LunchboxHero August 20, 2018 at 12:52 pm

      Wishing you strength during this time, Ms. Lamb. You might also want to reach out to some other news outlets, as there are at least 5 others who are reporting the name. I won’t mention them here, as I believe it’s a conflict of interest, but a quick Google search will yield the results you need. All the best…

  • Travis August 19, 2018 at 8:24 am

    I always thought I had a “lead foot” in NY, but traffic here on I15 is generally always passing me and I am doing 80 MPH. We came south from Idaho Falls on Saturday and got off I15 at Rt 80 and got off Rt 80 and took all the “side roads” West of I15 south to Cedar City. Practically no traffic the entire trip to Cedar City on various routes including Rt 130 through and beyond Minersville and a leisurely 70 MPH.

    Rest in Peace little boy.

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