A pronghorn antelope jumped onto the road in front of a motorcycle headed west on SR-12 resulting in the death of two individuals. The motorcycle struck the pronghorn as it entered the road east of Red Canyon in Garfield County on Monday morning, May 30.
The accident occurred near mile marker 11, on State Route Scenic Byway 12, at around approximately 9:45 a.m. on Memorial Day, as reported by the Utah Highway Patrol.
Involved in the accident were two riders from Nebraska, according to the Utah Highway Patrol news release.
The couple were westbound on SR-12 when the pronghorn jumped in front of them. After the motorcycle struck the antelope, the driver lost control. Both of the riders were ejected according to the statement.
The driver of the motorcycle was identified as Levi S. Grant, 62, of Chadron, Nebraska. He was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. The female passenger was transported via ambulance and flown to a hospital in critical condition. She was identified as a 61-year-old woman from Chadron, Nebraska. She died from her injuries on Tuesday. Her name has not been released at this time.
Both riders’ helmets were heavily damaged by the impact and even though they were wearing them properly, they were still both killed.
– The Byway