Washington County cliff plunge victims identified

A man and a woman who died when their SUV tumbled down a 200-foot cliff in southwestern Utah have been identified.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office confirmed Monday that the victims of the accident were Jacqueline K. Mertin, 30, and Robert K. Evans, 37, both of St. George.

An investigation into what led to the fatal plunge near Warner Valley about 5:15 a.m. Saturday was ongoing. A second woman, a passenger, survived the crash with minor injuries and was released after treatment at Dixie Valley Regional Medical Center.

The survivor also was the person who called 911. When deputies arrived at the site south of Washington City, they found the victims inside the SUV, which had landed on its top. They were dead at the scene.

The three reportedly had been drinking earlier Saturday morning at a campground near Washington Fields.

remims@sltrib.com