ST. GEORGE, Utah, Jan. 14, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — The Utah Highway Patrol is trying to determine the chain of events leading up to a fatal auto-pedestrian accident outside St. George on SR 18 Wednesday night.
According to UHP – the victim – identified as 35-year-old Justin R. Maples, was struck and killed by a northbound Prius around 7:45 p.m.
Investigators say Maples was walking along the highway after abandoning his own vehicle a half mile down the road. Troopers had been trying to find Maples’ car after dispatchers received calls of an impaired driver in the area.
UHP troopers, Washington County sheriff deputies responded to the accident site, but Maples was already deceased.
A blood draw was taken on the deceased, as well as the driver of the Prius, who is said to be cooperating with authorities.
