I-15 Traffic Update: Old Hwy 91 Completely Shut Down

Nick "YoshiYama" Yamashita has a Master's in Interdisciplinary Studies from Southern Utah University, teaches Martial Arts as a 3rd Degree American Kenpo Black Belt, a Professional Photographer & Artist, with publications involving the genres of Poetry, Short Stories, Thesis and Papers on Criminology/Criminal Justice/Ethical Issues and more. He has worked in Juvenile Criminal Justice and Criminal Justice fields with experience as well as Forensic Science experience. Nick resides in Mesquite, Nevada.

*The social media post by Mesquite, NV Police Department about the closure of Old Hwy 91 / Old Dixie 91. (Courtesy of MPD)*

UPDATE: April 3rd @ 8:00 PM PST- Report came in that accident was a head-on collision between a car and a motorcycle. More news in morning in accident when media release is sent by investigating department.

Original Article:

At about 4:00 PM PST, The Virgin River Times received reports of an accident on Old Hwy 91 with no traffic moving as they are performing a flight for life procedure with a helicopter.

At about 4:45 PM PST, Mesquite Police Department reported the Washington County Sheriff’s Department has shut down Old Highway 91 / Old Dixie Highway at this time. The shutdown is for investigation due to fatality.

All traffic is being turned back to the St. George area and Beaver Dam. All traffic must travel by the I-15 freeway route between St. George and Mesquite.

There is no ETA (estimated time) when the roads and lanes will be re-open at the moment.

Also, another accident on I-15 Northbound is causing more traffic back up at about 3:30 PM PST. It has been cleared up and reopened.

I-15 Southbound is still a mess with slow traffic through the construction zones at Beaver Dam and at Bunkerville Exit mm 118. The back routes through Bunkerville and Mesquite by Riverside Road is also backed up and busy.

Most are recommending the longer route around up north through Caliente and Alamo from Vegas and into Cedar City via Utah State Hwy 56 if going North. Some are reporting in and saying if traveling or going South, you might as well go that route as well. The northern alternative reroute takes an estimated 3-1/2 hours but most are finding it takes approximately the same amount of time going through I-15 with the construction and traffic problems. The reroute is also known for its spectacular landscape and views as it goes through several state parks and magnificent beauty.

The back routes through Bunkerville, Mesquite, and Littlefield are also busy and congested with traffic.

All of the accidents recently have been due to excessive speeds and reckless driving, especially pertaining to merging. The lack of consideration of braking time, especially in giving enough braking time to semi-trucks is being disregarded by non-semi drivers. Please drive in consideration of others, especially heavier vehicles.

Once again expect major traffic problems and please all drivers be careful and drive at the posted speeds.