Scene of a collision between a Roketa scooter and a Suzuki Samurai, Cedar City, Utah, Sept. 27, 2018 | Photo courtesy of Penny Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

CEDAR CITY — A motor scooter rider was seriously injured in a collision at an intersection at the Southern Utah University campus Thursday morning.

Emergency responders were dispatched shortly after 8:30 a.m. to the scene of the crash, which occurred in the middle of the intersection of 300 West and Center Street, where a large SUU Thunderbird is painted on the asphalt.

Sgt. Jerry Womack of Cedar City Police Department said a black Roketa Sicily scooter being driven by an adult male was heading west on Center Street when it entered the intersection and collided with a red Suzuki Samurai heading south on 300 West.

“The Samurai had the green light and the guy on the scooter was going westbound on Center Street,” Womack said. “For some reason, he didn’t obey the signal and T-boned the Samurai on the driver’s side door.”

The scooter operator, who police said was not wearing a helmet at the time of the collision, reportedly suffered serious head injuries and was transported by Gold Cross Ambulance to Cedar City Hospital. Later, he was reportedly airlifted via Life Flight to another hospital.

Police reported that the adult male driver of the Samurai was not injured; however, the wife of the driver contacted Cedar City News to say that the driver had gone to the hospital with glass in his eyes and back injuries, and it was determined that he had sustained a concussion. (see Ed. note)

The scooter sustained heavy front end damage, while the Samurai had moderate side damage, according to police. Despite having a dented driver’s side door and broken window, the Samurai remained operable enough to be driven away from the scene. Traffic in the area was impacted for more than one hour while the scene was investigated and cleared.

Womack said both drivers involved will be cited: the scooter rider for failure to stop at the red light and the Samurai driver for expired registration.

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

Ed. note: Story updated Sept. 28, 1: 15 p.m. to include a statement from the wife of the Samurai driver.

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