ST GEORGE, Utah - A Utah Highway Patrol trooper was critically injured after being hit by a car Monday in Cedar City. The trooper was helping another motorist when it happened. It’s prompted law enforcement to urge drivers to slow down and adjust to wet weather.
A hazardous weather advisory exists for much of Utah this week. It’s a sign that summer monsoon season is here.
“We advise people to drive within their capabilities, drive within the speed limit,” said UHP Lt. Shawn Hinton. “Or in conditions such as Monday, under the speed limit.”
Standing water on the freeway is said to have contributed to the accident that injured Trooper David Schiers. He was helping a motorist who’d slid off the road in the rain on Monday. While talking to the driver, another car hydroplaned and crashed where Schiers was standing, leaving him pinned under the car that hydroplaned.
“He received some quite severe injuries as a result of that crash,” said Hinton.
On Tuesday, UHP confirmed Schiers was transported to Intermountain Medical Center in Murray.
The dangers of going too fast in the rain were also seen in St George on Friday. A brief rainstorm is thought to have contributed to crashes around town.
“I think everybody has to start getting used to driving in the water,” said St. George driver Kim Kuhn following the storm. “Like you’re in a storm and not normal driving.
UHP said aside from slowing down, drivers should remember to move over for accidents on the roadway, and make sure tires have good tread. That can make a lot of difference when driving in inclement weather.