By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
Two fatal accidents marred the Easter holiday at the
Little Sahara Sand Dunes in western Juab County.
The accidents occurred on the first two days of Easter
weekend at the sand recreation playground.
Killed were Robert B. Kelly, 39, Ogden, and Tyler
Call, 19, Brigham City.
The first accident, which claimed the life of Kelly,
occurred at 3 a.m., Friday, said Juab County Sheriff David
Carter, and the second, which took the life of Call,
happened at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Carter said he estimates the visitor count at Little
Sahara to be more than 30,000. "Most of the campgrounds were
full by Thursday evening and the people kept pouring in all
day Friday and Saturday."
"There were more camps scattered around the rest of
the county than usual, and I would estimate the number of
visitors to Juab County for the Easter weekend to be over
50,000.
In addition to the two fatalities, there were several
injury accidents, several assaults, and hundreds of
citations issued.
The death rate, with two fatalities, was higher this
year than it had been for a few years.
"Mr. Kelly lost his life in a dune buggy rollover at
Big Sand Mountain," said Carter. "Mr. Kelly and a passenger
were traveling up Sand Mountain and when they crested the
top, the vehicle went airborne about 60 feet and then rolled
over. It appears Mr. Kelly was killed instantly."
The second fatality occurred when Call was traveling
on his off-road four-wheel recreation vehicle.
"Mr. Call was traveling on his four-wheeler just north
of Sand Mountain just below the crest of a dune when a
motorcycle came over the top and collided with Mr. Call,"
Carter said.
Air Med was called to the scene to transport Call to a
hospital. Emergency Medical Technicians from the Juab County
Ambulance Association worked to stabilize Call at the scene
of the accident.
"When Air Med arrived at the scene, their emergency
medical crew also tried to revive him but were unable to
save Mr. Call and he was pronounced dead at the scene."
Carter said the Little Sahara Sand Dunes Recreation
Area is always busy during the Easter weekend but had been
particularly busy this year.
"School vacations and good weather worked together to
make his year's holiday one of the first times families had
to have a vacation out in the open. The large crowds made
the holiday particularly hectic for law enforcement."
One disturbing incident was an assault in which one
individual was so badly beaten that he had to be transported
directly to Mountain View Hospital in Payson.
The victim suffered multiple cuts and abrasions and
possible damage to his eyes. Law enforcement officers had a
difficult time stopping those who were involved in the
beating, said Carter.
"It was an extremely violent assault," he said.
There were several other assaults which occurred
during the holiday celebration at the Sand Dunes. Sheriff's
Deputies also investigated a sexual assault and several
other minor complaints.
"It was a very busy weekend," Carter said. "Ambulance
crews made about 15 runs to the hospital and treated many
accident victims at the medical station set up at the
Dunes."
Carter said he has not yet made his final tally of
citations issued, but he did know the weekend arrest and
citation count would be more than 500. "There were half a
dozen DUIs, several arrests for possession of illegal drugs
and drug paraphernalia, about 75 alcohol violations and over
350 equipment violations."
Carter said the Sheriff's Office was assisted by a BLM
(Bureau of Land Management) Ranger, eight officers from the
State Motor Vehicle Investigations Division, two Highway
Patrolmen, eight Millard County Deputies, two Nephi City
Police Officers, and several members of the Juab County
Search and Rescue Squad.
"The Sheriff's Dispatch has been swamped the entire
weekend," Carter said. "I cannot believe that, at times,
they could keep up with all of the calls from the Sand Dunes
alone, besides the dispatch calls from the rest of the
county."
"We all have been extremely busy," said Carter.
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