Police: Suspected hit-and-run driver nabbed north of Cedar City after ramming car from behind on I-15

CEDAR CITY — Police say a hit-and-run driver rammed another car from behind on Interstate 15, sending it off the roadway Tuesday afternoon.

The incident occurred just after 12:30 p.m. on northbound I-15 just north of Cedar City, near mile marker 65.

Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Bambi Baie said an older-model gold Chevrolet Impala sedan struck the rear end of a white Nissan Altima sedan, sending the Nissan off the right shoulder and into some trees and wire fencing that borders the interstate’s right-of-way.

“A witness said the Chevy was going well over 100 miles an hour when it ran into the back end of the car right here,” Baie told Cedar City News at the scene. “It just kept going after that.”

At 2:30 p.m., Baie told Cedar City News that troopers and other officers were still searching for the suspect vehicle.

However, at 4:30 p.m., Baie provided another update, saying the suspect vehicle and its driver had been located in Parowan, approximately 10 miles north of the crash scene.

Baie said a convenience store clerk had taken notice of the way the man was acting as he parked the car and got out.

“The clerk there thought that his behavior and the way he parked was suspicious, so she just let law enforcement know,” Baie said.

Scene of a crash that authorities say involved a hit-and-run driver on northbound I-15, Cedar City, Utah, Dec. 7, 2021 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

Responding officers arrived to find the driver seated at a gas station across the street from where the car was parked.

Baie said the man was then taken into custody for questioning. He is being investigated for possible DUI charges along with other crimes.

At 6:30 p.m., the man, identified as Christopher Cross, was booked into Iron County Jail on suspicion of multiple charges, including leaving the scene of an injury accident, possession of controlled substance and drug paraphernalia and operating a vehicle with a revoked or suspended registration.

Earlier, shortly after 1 p.m. back at the scene of the crash, the adult male driver of the Nissan was transported by ground ambulance to Cedar City Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. He was wearing his seat belt, Baie said, and multiple airbags were deployed.

The Nissan sustained extensive damage and needed to be towed from the scene.

In addition to multiple UHP troopers, an Enoch Police officer also responded to the crash scene, along with Gold Cross Ambulance personnel and firefighters from Cedar City Fire Department. The impact to I-15 traffic was minimal, as the wreckage was completely off the roadway.

This report is based on information provided by law enforcement and may not contain the full scope of findings. 

Updated Dec. 7, 9:20 p.m. to include the suspect’s name and booking information.

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