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ST. GEORGE — Authorities have identified three people who were killed in a crash that shut down part of state Route 18 on Wednesday.
A Cadillac SUV drifted left and crossed over the lines and sideswiped a Ford Focus, then hit another car head-on at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Utah Highway Patrol Lt. Nick Street said.
The female driver of the Focus lost control and hit the concrete barrier on the side of the road. The SUV continued in the southbound lanes and hit a Nissan Versa "nearly head-on."
The SUV’s driver died in the crash and an elderly couple in the Versa died as well.
The SUV driver was identified Thursday as 24-year-old Timothy C. Roberts, of Dammeron Valley, according to the highway patrol. The driver of the Versa was identified as Christine E. Ilkenhans, 72, and the passenger was Emmanuel C. Ilkenhans, 78. Both were from Veyo.
The driver of the Focus was transported to a hospital in serious condition.
The road was closed between the exit to Ledges and Winchester Hills then reopened around 5 p.m., St. George police said.
The incident is under investigation. As of Thursday, authorities are still working to determine why the SUV drifted into oncoming traffic, Street said.
Contributing: Jen Riess and Jacob Klopfenstein, KSL.com
