VIRGIN RIVER GORGE, Ariz. – A Washington City man had a close call when he rolled his car in the Virgin River Gorge early Wednesday morning and literally walked away from the incident.
At around 3:49 a.m., 34-year-old Zachary Babcock, was driving a 2015 Toyota Camry along northbound Interstate 15, Arizona Department of Public Safety Sgt. John T. Bottoms said.
Babcock left the right side of the roadway near Arizona milepost 23, approximately 7 miles south of the Utah-Arizona border, Bottoms said. He then overcorrected, lost control of his Toyota Camry and subsequently rolled the vehicle.
A southbound passerby called the St. George Communication Center to report the rollover, Bottoms said, adding that no one traveling northbound stopped for the crash.
“The driver actually walked away from the collision,” he said, “and was stopped by one of the troopers and brought back to the scene.”
No injuries were reported as a result of the rollover, Bottoms said. The Toyota was towed from the scene.
Babcock was issued a citation for traveling at speeds greater than reasonable and prudent, Bottoms said.
While it is unclear whether or not the driver had fallen asleep while driving, Bottoms issued the following safety advisory to motorists:
We have stressed the need for adequate amounts of rest before long drives as a matter of public safety.
Arizona Department of Public Safety, St. George Fire, Littlefield-Beaver Dam Fire and Gold Cross Ambulance were dispatched to the scene of the rollover.
This report is based on preliminary information provided by the authorities and may not contain the full scope of findings.
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