Three deadly crashes on San Juan highways

by Bill Boyle
San Juan Record Editor
A series of crashes resulted in the deaths of three people on the highways in San Juan County.
At around 1 p.m. on August 13, Rolland Lee, of Montezuma Creek, was killed in a head-on collision on Highway 162 east of Aneth.
Three hours later, a two-vehicle crash on Highway 191 just north of Monticello claimed the life of George Amasa Larsen, age 59 of Moab, at 4 p.m. on August 13.
The Utah Highway Patrol reports that Larsen was traveling southbound in a pickup truck when he crossed the center line and veered directly into the path of an oncoming semi-truck. He died at the scene.
A subsequent fuel leak created a HazMat challenge on the highway. The road was closed for approximately three hours before it was cleared.
Earlier, late on August 11, a pedestrian was killed by a passing vehicle in a hit and run crash near the Aneth Chapter House on Highway 162.
Investigations continue in all three cases. Law enforcement officials always appreciate receiving information about their investigations.
The series of fatal crashes mirrors a similar period last year, in August and September, when five people were killed on the roads in San Juan County.
Lieutenant Charlie Taylor, of the Utah Highway Patrol (UHP), begs local residents to take steps to lessen the carnage on the roads.
“It’s been a rough year in Grand and San Juan counties, and particularly in the 100 deadly days of summer (between Memorial Day and Labor Day),” said Taylor.
Taylor outlined the top five enforcement goals of the UHP, asking residents to “think about these five issues and ask yourself where you can improve.”
Taylor said that speeding and impaired driving have been contributing factors in several recent fatalities. “We are finding impairment in more and more cases, whether it is alcohol or drugs,” said Taylor.
The five areas include 1- High speed driving 2- Inadequate seatbelt use 3- Equipment problems, highlighted by tires and brakes 4- Distracted and fatigued driving, and 5- Driving under the influence, including alcohol, marijuana, and methamphetamine.
“People need to drive defensively,” said Taylor. “Be aware of your surroundings, you are putting your life in the hands of the people around you.”