Fatal Accident on Powder Mountain Road

Updated 8-31-09 @ 2:30 PM (scroll down)

A fatal rollover accident on Hwy. 158 Sunday evening once

again has highlighted the dangers and steep grades that exist on Powder Mountain Road.

The existing single road to Powder Mountain is a difficult and dangerous road at best. It has several grades that exceed 13% and has been the site of numerous accidents in recent years, including a number of fatalities. According to UDOT, there is virtually no room to improve or widen this road and no modifications can be made to lessen the grades, which are hazardous for drivers any time of the year.

This is the latest incident to reinforce the opposition by many Ogden Valley residents to any large expansion at the Powder Mountain resort that would result due to the incorporation of the proposed town.

Blogmeister Update:

Click here to view the story on KSL and be sure to read the pithy comments.

Click here to read this morning's article in the Standard and be sure to view the video footage.

It was a huge weekend for Life Flight as they made some 6 - 8 flights to area hospitals.

In response, Powder Mountain President and CEO Greg Greer said,

Injuries are to be expected at motocross events, Greer said.

"It's part of the sport," he said, adding a medical helicopter was on standby throughout the event. "They (riders) go fast, they go high and when they fall they break things."

The motocross is expected to gross about $100,000 for Powder Mountain, said Greer.

That makes it all worthwhile?

From Friday's Standard:

EDEN — Two motocross riders were injured in separate accidents at Powder Mountain’s motocross track Thursday afternoon. The first accident occurred around 2:15 p.m. and the second at 3:30 p.m., according to Carolyn Daniels, a spokeswoman for Powder Mountain. Names of the riders and details about the accidents were not released but Daniels said both individuals were transported by helicopter to a local hospital. The riders were among more than 200 practicing on the course for a motocross competition this weekend.

And From Saturday's Standard:

EDEN — Two more motocross racers were taken to hospitals by helicopter ambulance Friday for treatment of injuries they incurred while preparing for the motocross races being held this weekend. The first incident occurred at 11 a.m. Friday, said Weber County Sheriff’s Lt. Phillip Howell. He said a 35-yearold Sandy man crashed and suffered multiple bone fractures. He was transported to McKay-Dee Hospital. The second incident happened at 2:30 p.m.A 21-year-old male was taken to the University of Utah Hospital. While Howell said his injuries are still unknown, he was unconscious when the call was made and when he was flown to the hospital. Two racers also were injured in practice racing Thursday. No information on their conditions or their names was released.

After all, they made $100K

UPDATE 8-31-09 @ 2:30 PM

The Standard Examiner has identified the victim as Tanner Krahenbuhl, 16, from Henderson, Nevada.

Click here to review several previous posts regarding the safety (or lack thereof) of the Powder Mountain Road.

And from the Weber County Forum, click here.