2 killed in Washington County accidents, 1 in critical condition

PINTURA, Washington County — One person was in critical condition and two people died in two separate accidents on I-15 on Sunday.

Officials say both accidents were a result of speeding in construction zones.

The first accident occurred at 3:46 p.m. when a 50-year-old woman from Midvale was driving north in a construction zone on I-15 near Pintura. The car hit a bump too fast, said Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Jeff Plank.

The car veered off into parked construction equipment, critically injuring the driver. She was flown to University Medical Center in Las Vegas with severe internal injuries. One of her two passengers was transported by ambulance to Dixie Regional Medical Center in Cedar City.

By the time the first accident was cleared up, a second one was called in at 5:07 p.m.

A semi driver was heading north on I-15 about a mile away from the earlier accident when officials believe he wasn't paying attention to an outside lane merge and slammed on his brakes to avoid hitting the slower vehicle in front. The truck's rear trailer then swung out into the southbound lanes and struck a Kia sports utility vehicle.

Russell W. Welsh, 62, and Emelda Welsh, 56, of Finleyville, Penn., were pronounced dead at the scene.

Southbound I-15 has been closed at the accident site, and traffic is backed up 6 to 7 miles.

— Lana Groves