Norene Jones, Jeffry Alan Gray Obituary, Death; Authorities have released the names of three people who tragically lost their lives in a wrong-way crash that occurred Sunday on Interstate 15 in St. George. The Utah Highway Patrol (UHP) confirmed the identities of the deceased on Tuesday, shedding more light on the deadly incident that also left two others injured.
According to investigators, the crash unfolded when a vehicle entered the interstate traveling in the wrong direction. Officials reported that Norene Jones, 89, a resident of St. George, was driving a car that mistakenly entered I-15 at Exit 5. Instead of merging in the correct direction, she drove southbound in the northbound lanes, creating a dangerous situation that soon turned fatal.
As Jones continued driving against traffic, her vehicle collided head-on with a Toyota carrying four passengers. The force of the crash claimed the lives of two people in the Toyota. Authorities identified the victims as Catherine Gray, 68, and her husband, Jeffry Alan Gray, also 68, both of Washington City. Catherine was driving the Toyota at the time of the crash, with Jeffry as her passenger. Both were pronounced dead following the collision.
Initially, UHP reported that the wrong-way driver was a woman in her 90s, but further investigation clarified that Jones was 89. Despite the age discrepancy, officials confirmed she was the individual behind the wheel of the vehicle that triggered the crash.
The Toyota was carrying two additional passengers, both young women in their late teens to early 20s. While they survived the crash, their injuries required immediate medical attention. Emergency responders transported them by helicopter to a nearby hospital for treatment. UHP described their injuries as serious but not life-threatening, though no further updates on their conditions have been released.
The crash led to significant disruption on I-15, with law enforcement shutting down portions of the highway to investigate the scene and clear the wreckage. Traffic delays stretched for hours as authorities worked to document the crash site and remove the damaged vehicles.
Fatal wrong-way crashes, though relatively uncommon, often have devastating consequences due to the speed and force of head-on collisions. UHP officials did not provide specific details about how or why Jones entered the interstate traveling in the wrong direction, but they confirmed that the case remains under investigation. Factors such as driver error, medical conditions, or impaired driving are commonly examined in such cases.
Community members in both St. George and Washington City are mourning the loss of the three victims, while the two young survivors continue their recovery. The crash underscores the dangers of wrong-way driving and the lasting impact such incidents can have on families and communities.
As of Tuesday, officials have not released information about funeral arrangements for the victims, and the Utah Highway Patrol has not issued any further updates regarding the ongoing investigation.
This tragic incident serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of road safety and vigilance, especially on high-speed highways like I-15 where mistakes can prove deadly in an instant.
