ST. GEORGE — A car rolled, leaving the interstate after a mechanical failure on Sunday afternoon.

The passenger car was traveling south on Interstate 15 when it had an undisclosed mechanical issue near mile marker 7 shortly before 1 p.m., said Utah Highway Patrol Cpl. Mike Gordon. The driver reportedly tried to compensate but overcorrected, leaving the roadway and rolling the vehicle on the right side of the freeway.

Both the driver and passenger sustained minor injuries. The passenger was transported to the hospital as a precaution, Gordon said.

Mechanical issues should be handled depending on the circumstance, Gordon added. But the best course of action is for a driver to take their foot off the gas pedal, keep the steering wheel straight and keep the vehicle under control.

“Let’s say you get a tire that blows out or something like that,” he said. “A person’s first instinct or reaction is to hit the brakes, but sometimes you can make the issue worse. So I would advise to make sure you are traveling near the posted speed limit, take your foot off the gas pedal — see if that helps you gain a little more control, and then try to come to a controlled stop if you can. Sometimes, depending on what the issue is, it’s unavoidable. But don’t oversteer or try to compensate for the issue.”

Additionally, whenever drivers are moving at a slower speed than surrounding traffic, they should use their hazard lights.

“It’s always a good idea to throw your hazard lights on so other vehicles can see you,” Gordon said.

This report is based on information provided by law enforcement and may not contain the full scope of findings.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2024, all rights reserved.

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