Car crash leaves 2 dead, 1 injured

Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Aug 21, 2008

MONTICELLO -- Two people were killed when the car they were in was hit by a vehicle driven by a woman police were looking for. The woman allegedly ran a red light Wednesday afternoon, colliding with the victims' vehicle.

About 12:30 p.m., police were attempting to locate the driver of a Chevy Cavalier that had reportedly sideswiped a semitrailer on state Route 491, said Utah Highway Patrol spokesman Cameron Roden.

The described vehicle, driven by a 47-year-old woman from Dove Creek, Colo., was spotted a few minutes later driving on the wrong side of the highway.

"She was traveling at a high rate of speed directly toward (the officer,)" Roden said. "He took evasive actions, turned around and attempted to catch up to the vehicle."

Before the officer could find the woman, Roden said, she ran a red light at the intersection of 491 and state Route 191, colliding with another vehicle.

Alice Rogers, 69, of Monticello, died at the scene. Neerece Johnson, 83, also of Monticello, died after being taken to a nearby hospital.

Both Rogers and Johnson were wearing seat belts, Roden said.

The driver of the Cavalier, who was not wearing a seat belt, was taken to the hospital where she was being treated for non-life- threatening injuries.

Charges likely will follow at a later date, Roden said.