ST. GEORGE — After an elderly driver swerved to avoid a pedestrian walking through a store parking lot, he ended up hitting two other pedestrians and three separate vehicles.

Crews rescue passengers in a flipped car at the Bloomington Walmart in St. George, Utah, March 21, 2024 | Photo by Bridger Palmer, St. George News

Shortly after 1 p.m. Saturday, the St. George Police Department responded to the scene in the Walmart parking lot off Pioneer Road in St. George, followed by St. George Fire Department emergency personnel.

Rescue crews removed the man and his passenger, an elderly woman, from the flipped Toyota through the shattered front windshield. Both were transported to St. George Regional Hospital by Gold Cross Ambulance. Of the two women hit by the car, one of them was taken to the hospital. Police say none of the injuries were life-threatening.

St. George Police Lt. David Williams told St. George News he confirmed what occurred via Walmart surveillance video.

“We saw a grey 2009 Toyota Hybrid XLE traveling out of the parking lot,” he said. “It struck two pedestrians and then collided with the three vehicles.”

Williams said the cause of the “erratic” driving is under investigation. No traffic violations had yet to be issued.

Julie Landon, who was in her White GMC Yukon with her husband and three children, said they were driving out of the Walmart parking lot when they were struck from behind. She said she thinks the Toyota driver lost control of the vehicle.

A White GMC Yukon is temporarily repaired with tape after being hit by another car at the Bloomington Walmart, St. George, Utah, March 21, 2024 | Photo by Bridger Palmer, St. George News

The two other vehicles struck by the Toyota had minor aesthetic damage and the passengers were cleared by EMS.

Great West Towing of St. George arrived around 1:30 p.m. and towed away the Toyota.

As the investigation continues, Williams reminds the public to exercise caution.

“Drive carefully. Especially where it’s busy,” he said.

By 2 p.m. the scene was cleared.

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

Photo Gallery

A Toyota Hybrid XLE sits upright after Great West Towing flipped it back on its wheels at the Bloomington Walmart in St. George, Utah, March 21, 2024 | Photo by Bridger Palmer, St. George News

Bloomington Walmart, St. George, Utah, March 21, 2024 | Photo by Bridger Palmer, St. George News

A White GMC Yukon is temporarily repaired with tape after being hit by another car at the Bloomington Walmart, St. George, Utah, March 21, 2024 | Photo by Bridger Palmer, St. George News

The Toyota’s shattered windshield allowed EMS to remove the driver and passenger, St. George, Utah, March 21, 2024 | Photo by Bridger Palmer, St. George News

Crews rescue passengers in a flipped car at the Bloomington Walmart in St. George, Utah, March 21, 2024 | Photo by Bridger Palmer, St. George News

Crews rescue passengers in a flipped car at the Bloomington Walmart in St. George, Utah, March 21, 2024 | Photo by Bridger Palmer, St. George News

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

Bridger Palmer was born in St. George, Utah, before being raised in the Inland Empire in Southern California. He was inspired to pursue journalism because he was an avid reader of Bill Simmons’ sports and popular culture blog, Grantland. Palmer wrote a screenplay in 2020 and launched his own website, newgrantland.com, shortly thereafter. He worked his way from proofreader to editorial assistant at a weekly newspaper in Redlands, California. He returned to Southern Utah in late 2023.

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