from the imperial valley press
VALLEY POLICE BEAT
Youth, 17, injured; man dies in dunes
By NICOLAS TABOREK, Staff Writer
Heather Benner, 17, of Tustin, was airlifted to the University of California San Diego Medical Center after she was severely injured in an off-road vehicle collision in the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreational Area on Saturday.
Benner was driving a Honda quad at 11 a.m. when she collided with a sand rail. Both vehicles were traveling about 35 mph, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Benner was ejected from her vehicle and her helmet came off in the collision. She was unconscious and unresponsive after the accident when she was flown to San Diego. The passengers in the sand rail were uninjured.
Man in dunes found dead
GORDONS WELL — An Arizona man died while riding an off-road vehicle near here Saturday, said Imperial County Supervising Deputy Coroner Charles Lucas.
Bruce Van Valer, 60, of Peoria, Ariz., was riding alone when he collapsed, apparently from natural causes, Lucas said. Van Valer was found unresponsive about 1:30 p.m. An autopsy is scheduled for this week.
Never fun reading news like this although I think one of the comments from the story puts this all in the proper perspective. Thoughts and prayers go out to Heather, Bruce, and their families…
burn33 wrote on Oct 26, 2008 9:12 PM:
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Burn33,
I doubt you have ever had someone severely injured or killed there. You need to look at the facts more closely. Yes, there are a large number of people in this area on holiday weekends but there are many unnessary injuries and deaths every year that may not have occurred if there were more rules and regulations. This “girl” that you mention as one of the “pretty good numbers” happens to be my cousin who is still fighting for her life as of today (Nov. 25)one month since her accident. The article does not include the extent of her injuries which include, a fractured pelvis, shoulder, hand, foot and neck, a collapsed lung, a partially collapsed lung, a lacerated liver, and severe brain swelling which caused her to have surgery to remove parts of her skull. To date we still do not know the extent of her brain damage and if she will ever be able to live a normal life again since she is still in a coma.
Thank you to the others who included their thoughts and prayers.
Enjoy riding AT YOUR OWN RISK and BE SMART people.
Please and thank you.
Johnson, I completely disagree with more rules and regulations. 110%. I hate hearing about injuries, but more rules and regulations are NOT the answer. Period.
We have ENOUGH. ENOUGH ENOUGH!!!!! It’s retarded. I’ve had tickets for jumping “too high”, having a bike “too loud” (in the middle of the desert mind you), plenty of “no whip” tickets…etc… etc.
I’ve been taken away in a stretcher multiple times, had multiple friends medivacced on multiple occasions, and had 2 childhood friends die, both in separate accidents. However, this is part of the culture that emanated from getting away from rules, regulations, etc in the first place.
Terribly unfortunate to hear about a young girl getting injured, REALLY REALLY, terrible. My prayers go out to her…I have a 16 yr old sister and I couldn’t imagine.
BUT we also no longer allow my 16 yr old sister on her quad or bike in glamis, ocitillo or any other busy place. I’m not saying anything was done wrong or anyone is at fault (thats the nature of an accident) but let it be a lesson.
On busy weekends, every other dune at glamis has four, $80k, super buggies with drivers that can’t even merge their ford f250 on the highway, let alone drive a quasi-race car.
Put your children, sisters, daughters, mothers, girlfriends, cousins, rookie buddies, etc in a buggy, a 4×4 truck/SUV, OR a caged rhino/razr, and with a sober and EXPERIENCED driver. Always.
If they love to ride, like my little sis, find somewhere safe with no people.
It’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.
-Mike P.
RULES DON’T STOP PEOPLE FROM GETTING KILLED……THIS IS PART OF LIFE….WHEN WILL PEOPLE START EXCEPTING RESPONSABILITY AND LEARN BY THERE MISTAKES…….WE DON’T NEED MORE LAWS AND REGULATIONS JUST SMARTER PEOPLE..
In response to Ron H.
Smarter people doesn’t really seem like much of an option as it seems that each generation becomes less and less educated and disciplined. Its truly unfortunate.
As far as rules and regulations go, they have cracked down tremendously in Glamis. I have been going there since 1985 and there has been a big change. In 1999 for every truck that pulled in with one or two quads, there was at least two cars full of people following just to come out and party on the big weekends. People need to govern themselves and take responsibility. I agree with S7 racing, unfortunately things happen, and it is usually our own fault. I have ridden motorcycles, 3 & 4 wheelers for 30 years, and have raced for years. And I was life flighted out of Glamis in January, things happen and ultimately I am responsible. I was very lucky, things will heal over time. And no alcohol was not involved. But you are responsible for yourself out there, you need to be sure to not put yourself in a dangerous situation just like everyday life.
I definitely agree with the fact that people need to be more responsible for their actions, if your are going to be out doing an “extreme sport” you better be expecting to possibly get injured. I have been a state winning football player, 4×4 fanatic, 15 year extreme snow skier, 5 year wakeboarder, state placing shot put thrower, and small game hunter and unfortunately no matter how much regulation and rules you have people are still going to get hurt doing the sport if you are not willing to accept responsibility for yourself then don’t bother trying anything that involves the chance of being injured. Lawyers are not the answer, they only make things worse for everyone else