USU student in intensive care after collision
A Utah State University student and former softball team outfielder is in intensive care at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City after being involved in a head-on collision Sunday.
Markean A. Neal, a senior majoring in journalism, was in critical condition for two days after reportedly suffering major head and possible spine injuries.
The crash occurred around 6:30 a.m. on U.S. Hwy. 89-91 in Wellsville. The women were returning to Logan from Salt Lake City after attending a party there.
Utah State Highway Patrol trooper Bart Rindlisbacher said it is likely Neal fell asleep while heading northbound and crossed the southbound lanes. When she woke up, she overcorrected and ran head-on into another vehicle, he said.
Three passengers in Neal’s car, Candace Maryweather, Lynnise Chapoose, and Julia Jones, all from North Logan, were taken to Logan Regional Hospital with minor injuries. They have been released.
“Markean just fell asleep at the wheel, and we were all asleep when it happened,” Chapoose said. “I just got a few bumps and bruises.”
Maryweather suffered a pelvis fracture and Jones injured her ankle, she said.
Rindlisbacher said Victoria Brown of Logan, the other driver involved in the crash, broke her heel bone. Her passenger, Adam Lopez of Logan, broke his ankle.
No charges were filed, but alcohol may have played a part in the crash, he said.
“They were drinking earlier that night or morning,” he said.
All of the women acknowledged they were drinking, but Neal wasn’t DUI (driving under the influence), Rindlisbacher said.
“The drinking may have contributed to fatigue, but those things happen, and there is no way we are going to charge her,” he said.
Rindlisbacher said he advises students to not drink and drive. Students should make sure the driver is well-rested and depart at a resonable time.
-mmackay@cc.usu.edu