22-07-2025
Officials urge safety on Pioneer Day after six drowning-related deaths this summer
Utah Department of Natural Resources Division of Law Enforcement director Todd Royce discusses boating safety at Jordanelle Reservoir on Monday, July 21, 2025. (Phot courtesy of Utah Department of Natural Resources)
The Beehive State has already seen six boating-related deaths this summer, prompting calls from safety officials for Utahns to recreate safely.
So far, four people have drowned while recreating on a paddle board, including 31-year-old Daniel Braga Figueiredo who died after trying to help a 12-year-old girl who was floating in an inflatable tube at Silver Lake Flat Reservoir.
Authorities say a 23-year-old man died after a Jet Ski crash on Utah Lake; and over the weekend, 23-year-old airman Angel Harris, who was stationed at Hill Air Force Base, was killed swimming at the Causey Reservoir.
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'Every one of them could have been prevented if somebody would have worn a life jacket. I don't like to armchair quarterback, but the statistics do not lie — 100% of these could have been prevented,' said Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation boating program coordinator Ty Hunter during a media event on the Jordanelle Reservoir Monday.
As Utahns gear up to celebrate Pioneer Day on Thursday, Hunter and other officials are hoping they won't see a repeat of this year's Fourth of July — according to the Utah Division of Natural Resources, there were nine 'major' boating incidents during the holiday, including a case of boating under the influence that resulted in severe injury; and seven off-road vehicle crashes, three of them DUI-related and two that caused life-threatening injuries.
'We don't want those same incidents to happen over the 24th of July weekend. Everybody's going to be out recreating, make sure you're recreating safely,' said Todd Royce, director of the Utah Division of Law Enforcement.
Royce's message is simple: 'wear a life jacket, wear a helmet and never operate under the influence.'
During Monday's event, officials said there are several easy steps, in addition to wearing a life jacket, to stay safe on the water:
Take a boating education course, which is required for youth operating a personal watercraft, but recommended for all boaters.
Don't drink while operating a boat — drinking alcohol is the second leading factor in fatal boating accidents, according to the Division of Natural Resources.
And while on the trail, whether via motor or human power, there are a number of important precautions:
Always wear a helmet, which is required for riders under 18 years old, but recommended for everyone.
Don't use drugs or alcohol while on an off-highway vehicle, or OHV.
Take an OHV education course, which is required for anyone operating an OHV in Utah.
Stay hydrated and always bring salty snacks, electrolytes and at least one gallon of water per person.
Avoid the hottest hours and leave early or late in the day to avoid triple-digit heat.
Wear sunscreen or protective clothing.
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