One dead following major crash near Apple Valley

APPLE VALLEY — One person died and several others were injured following a major multi-vehicle crash Friday morning on State Route 59 between Hurricane and Apple Valley, according to preliminary information released by authorities and regional media reports.

A stretch of State Route 59 near Apple Valley. A multivehicle crash Friday near milepost 14 left one person dead and several others injured, according to regional reports.

The crash occurred May 1 near milepost 14 on SR-59, a heavily traveled corridor for residents of Kane County and the Arizona Strip traveling to Hurricane and St. George.

According to preliminary reports from the Utah Highway Patrol cited by regional news outlets, the crash involved at least four vehicles and a motorcycle.

Investigators said an eastbound vehicle was reportedly attempting to pass traffic in the oncoming lane when a westbound Chevrolet Avalanche swerved to avoid a collision. The Avalanche then reportedly overcorrected and crossed into opposing traffic, leading to a chain-reaction crash involving multiple vehicles.

According to regional reports and preliminary information released by authorities, the driver of a Chevrolet Malibu suffered critical injuries and later died after being airlifted from the scene.

The motorcyclist involved in the crash was transported in critical condition, according to the Utah Highway Patrol.

Two additional people were reportedly transported to area hospitals with injuries described as non-life-threatening.

Emergency crews from multiple agencies responded to the scene, including Hurricane Valley Fire & Rescue, Apple Valley Fire, Hildale/Colorado City Fire, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, UDOT incident management teams, and Intermountain Life Flight.

Traffic on SR-59 was disrupted for several hours Friday while emergency responders and investigators worked the scene. The crash remained under investigation as of early this week.

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story referenced regional reports indicating a second fatality involving the motorcyclist. The Southern Utah News has not independently confirmed a second death and has updated the story to reflect information currently confirmed by the Utah Highway Patrol.