Driver arrested, accused of hitting 2 Ironman bicyclists with car

ST. GEORGE. Utah — A driver has been arrested following a collision between a car and two bicyclists participating in the 2022 Ironman 70.3 World Championship in St. George on Saturday, police say.

The two bicyclists were in the area of Telegraph Street and Slow Creek Lane in the city of Washington, when they were struck by a car, according to an affidavit filed by a police officer with the city.

Witnesses say the driver failed to observe a flagman when the driver allegedly entered the road where the Ironman race was being held, the affidavit said.

Police were dispatched to the scene shortly before 11 a.m. Saturday.

One bicyclist had a compound fracture on his right arm, the officer said. Both bicyclists have “serious bodily injuries,” the officer stated in the affidavit.

The bicyclist who had a compound fracture received a tourniquet from an officer at the scene. Both of the bicyclists were transported to a local hospital due to the severity of the injuries, police say.

The driver of the car, Diana Marie Linford, 68, admitted to the police that she has smoked marijuana that morning, the affidavit states. Linford also admitted that she had illegal drugs in her car, police said.

Linford was arrested for investigation of negligent driving that resulted in bodily injuries, both third-degree felonies, and a misdemeanor for failing to observe a flagman.