CEDAR CITY — Two people died after the motorcycle they were riding struck a pronghorn antelope that had suddenly jumped onto the road east of Red Canyon in Garfield County on Monday morning, Utah Highway Patrol reported.
The incident occurred at approximately 9:45 a.m. near mile marker 11 on state Route 12; it involved a Harley-Davidson motorcycle occupied by two riders from Nebraska, according to a UHP news release issued Monday
As the pair were heading westbound on SR-12, a pronghorn jumped in front of the motorcycle, the release stated.
“The motorcycle struck the antelope and lost control, causing both occupants to be fully ejected,” the statement said.
The male driver of the motorcycle, identified as Levi S. Grant, 62, of Chadron, Nebraska, died at the scene of the crash. Meanwhile, the female passenger was transported via ambulance and then flown to a hospital in extremely critical condition. The woman, who was later identified as 61-year-old Maria Wheeler-Groves, also from Chadron, Nebraska, died from her injuries on Tuesday, UHP reported.
Although both riders were wearing helmets at the time of the crash, their helmets were heavily damaged by the impact, UHP said in the release.
Updated June 5, 7:05 p.m. to include the name of the passenger who died.
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.