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By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent

The weekend following the successful low-injury and no-death Labor Day holiday in Juab County did not turn out as well.

Kent G. "Pickett" Pickett, 34, Smithfield, died on Sept. 6, from injuries sustained in a four-wheeler accident which occurred at Little Sahara Sand Dunes in the area of Sand Mountain.

The accident occurred at 3 p.m., said Alden Orme, Juab County Sheriff, when Pickett rode over a dune and dropped 30 to 35 feet.

"A witness to the accident was traveling approximately 50 yards behind the victim," said Orme.

The ATV Pickett was driving became airborne and fell nose first into the hard packed earth below the cliff. It then flipped over on top of Pickett.

"The impact was so hard that it broke the rear axle on the 4-wheel vehicle," said Orme.

"The witness went right to the victim, rolled him over and tried to establish an airway because Pickett was not breathing."

Juab County Sheriff's Deputy Craig Ryan responded to the scene and the victim was also assisted by BLM rangers.

Pickett was transported by West Juab County Ambulance, based in Eureka, to Central Valley Medical Center in Nephi where he was pronounced dead.

Pickett was wearing a helmet but the impact was too great and he suffered extensive trauma to the neck, head and upper torso.

"Pickett and his friends were visiting Sand Mountain at the Dunes," said Orme. "His 4-wheeler wasn't as fast as his friends' machines were, so he went off by himself."

Orme said that those riding the sand dunes at Little Sahara need to remember to never go over a ridge without first checking to see what is on the other side.

"The nature of sand is that it changes quickly and what may have been there one day may not be there the next," said Orme.

The wind and weather change the face of the dunes in short order and the ATV driver needs to be cautious.

"Even though we had a successful and safe Labor Day holiday at the recreation site, it can be a dangerous place and those who have ATVs should remember to use extreme caution when riding on sand."