Latest news with #TooeleCountySheriff'sOffice
Hindustan Times
04-08-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Driver attempting to set a record at Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats dies after losing control
A driver trying to set a land speed record during a racing event at Utah's famed Bonneville Salt Flats died Sunday after he lost control of his rocket-like vehicle called the Speed Demon, organizers said. Driver Chris Raschke lost control about two and a half miles into a run and was treated by medical professionals at the scene, but died from his injuries, according to the Southern California Timing Association, which organizes the popular land-speed racing event known as 'Speed Week.' For decades, the flat, glasslike white surface has drawn drivers from all over seeking to set new land speed world records and motorcycle and car fans to watch. A remnant of a prehistoric lakebed, the salt flats that are about 100 miles (160 kilometers) west of Salt Lake City have also been a backdrop for movies like 'Independence Day' and 'The World's Fastest Indian.' 'Moto rsports is inherently a dangerous sport,' said Dennis Sullivan, a car builder and racer who set a land speed record in his 1927 Model T street roadster and serves as president of the Utah Salt Flats Racing Association. 'People get hurt. People get killed. That's just the nature of the sport. It doesn't happen a lot.' HT Image Sullivan said motor sports also have stringent safety requirements — such as stronger roll bars, special tires and more fire extinguishers — that help protect drivers. The last racing death Sullivan recalled at the flats came in 2016 when Sam Wheeler, a renowned land speed motorcycle racer, crashed at 200 mph (321 kilometers) when the high-performance bike he was testing fish-tailed and went airborne. The Bonneville Salt Flats, which had its first race in 1914, have about 7 miles for racing and an aquifer underneath that cools the tires of the cars. It's unlike other race venues in that it doesn't have stands. Spectators must stand two-tenths of a mile away from the cars. Raschke lost control of the vehicle about two and a half miles into a run. It's unknown how fast Raschke was driving when he lost control of the vehicle and what speed he was aiming to reach. The association and the Tooele County Sheriff's Office are investigating the death, said Sgt. Dane Lerdahl, a spokesman for the law enforcement agency. 'We know it was an accident of some sort,' Lerdahl said. For decades, people have used the flat, glasslike surface at Bonneville Salt Flats, 100 miles (160 kilometers) west of Salt Lake City, to set speed records, sometimes topping 400 mph (644 kph). Speed Week has long been a draw for motorcycle and car fans. Raschke, 60, was the driver of a streamliner — a long, narrow, aerodynamic car made to run at high speeds — known as the Speed Demon. He had worked in motor sports for more than four decades. According to the Speed Demon racing team's site, Raschke worked at the Ventura Raceway in the early 1980s, raced 3-wheelers and cars in the mini stock division, learned to fabricate and maintain race cars when working with an acclaimed engine builder and later became a driver for the Speed Demon team. 'The racing bug had bitten him and Chris was active on both sides of the fence,' the association said in its biography of Raschke. The Race Week event began on Saturday and runs through Friday.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Structure fire closes Main Street in Rush Valley
This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as new information becomes available. RUSH VALLEY, Utah () — The Tooele County Sheriff's Office and other agencies are currently battling a fire in Rush Valley that has closed Main Street. According to a post from the sheriff's office, dispatch was alerted to a structure fire around 3:30 p.m. The fire is near the intersection of Main Street and Pine Street. The Rush Valley Fire Department, Tooele County Fire Department, and Stockton City Fire Department are all on scene battling the flames. According to the sheriff's office, the cause of the fire is unknown at this time. The fire is affecting residences in the area, and Main Street is closed to traffic until it is deemed safe to reopen the road. Gusty winds Monday afternoon, cooler & wetter conditions arrive Tuesday Utahns receive fastest stroke treatment in the nation, data finds Senate GOP weighs safety, legal concerns over Trump Qatar jet gift Structure fire closes Main Street in Rush Valley New details released in deadly officer-involved shooting in Orem Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Yahoo
Bystanders praised as heroes after rescuing 8-year-old from Stansbury Lake
STANSBURY PARK, Utah () — A pair of bystanders at Stansbury Lake in Tooele County are being hailed as heroes after rescuing an 8-year-old girl from a near-drowning earlier this week. The Tooele County Sheriff's Office said a group of girls were practicing swimming in the lake on Wednesday evening, May 7, when two of them began struggling in the water. One of the two girls was able to make it back to shore on her own, but the other needed help. One bystander jumped into the lake and pulled the young girl out of the water and, along with a second bystander, performed CPR. After a few moments, the Tooele County Sheriff's Office said the girl became responsive, was talking and alert. Emergency medical personnel arrived on scene and evaluated the young girl, eventually taking her to a local area hospital for further care. 'The Tooele County Sheriff's Office would like to extend sincere appreciation to the two individuals whose swift actions helped save this young girl's life,' the Sheriff's Office said in a media release posted to social media. 'Their willingness to step in without hesitation undoubtedly made a critical difference in today's outcome.' Replies from community members to the sheriff's office post praised the two bystanders, with one commenter saying, 'Not all heroes wear capes.' Another commenter said, 'They should be rewarded by the community. Stepping up instead of recording it on one's phone is something we should all encourage.' Trump announces trade agreement with UK Bystanders praised as heroes after rescuing 8-year-old from Stansbury Lake Florida man gored by bison at Yellowstone National Park House GOP passes bill to rename 'Gulf of America' Midvale man accused of attempting to kill sister to 'solve the problem' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
Tikis at Iosepa cemetery in Tooele County cut down, destroyed; officials investigating
The Tooele County Sheriff's Office is investigating the destruction of a pair of tikis at the Iosepa Cemetery that had been the apparent focus of sharp debate among some in the Pacific Islander community. 'It's something sad,' said Ron Manuela, president of the Iosepa Historical Association, focused on preserving the history of the original Hawaiian settlers who once populated the remote Iosepa area, now abandoned. The tikis were 'a gift to the people of Iosepa and to their families.' Sgt. Dane Lerdahl, with the Tooele County Sheriff's Office, said a deputy visited the area Tuesday to look into the matter and that the investigation continues. Officials think the two Hawaiian statues, placed at the cemetery last year, were downed on April 30 or May 1. 'We do know that they were cut down. It appears some sort of saw was used, and then they were stacked somewhere on the site,' he said. Both Manuela and Lerdahl hinted at the mixed sentiments the tikis had generated, though the motive remains focus of continued investigation. The tikis, made from telephone poles, were sawed into numerous pieces. 'There's a lot going on, and we're still trying to sort out the details,' Lerdahl said. A Tooele County Sheriff's Office official said Tuesday that the office is investigating the destruction of two tikis at the Iosepa cemetery. The undated photo shows the tikis before the incident. | Ruth Haws As many of the descendants of the Hawaiians and others who first settled Iosepa in the late 1800s belonged to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Manuela said some took umbrage with the installation of the tikis. According to a tiki retailer in Hawaii, tikis can represent 'various deities, ancestors or spirits in traditional beliefs.' While the tikis were meant as a gift, Manuela said, 'there were those that verbally shared their dislike for it.' Some, he said, saw the statues — one about 8-feet high, the other about 6-feet high — as an infringement on church beliefs and a step toward paganism. A sign posted in front of them, also downed, had read, 'Guardians and protectors of our ancestors sacred lands.' 'That wasn't my feel. ... That's part of Hawaiian culture,' Manuela said, also noting the church's development of the Polynesian Cultural Center in Hawaii, which offers tourist packages focused on varied aspects of Hawaiian and Pacific Island culture. 'It's not that it changed our focus, and now we were worshiping idols and things as such. But some didn't see it that way.' The Iosepa community in Tooele County's Skull Valley was once home to a contingent of Pacific Islanders, mostly Hawaiians, who migrated to Utah in the late 1800s after joining The Church of Jesus of Latter-day Saints. Iosepa was abandoned in 1917, but the cemetery remains as a gathering spot for the descendants of those earlier settlers, who visit the location each Memorial Day weekend. A Tooele County Sheriff's Office official said Tuesday that the office is investigating the destruction of two tikis at the Iosepa cemetery. The photo shows where the tikis once stood. | Ruth Haws History to Go, a website operated by the state of Utah, says Iosepa is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the 1971 nomination form notes some of its history. Many of the Pacific Islanders who came to Utah after joining the church initially settled in the North Salt Lake area. 'However, as they did not integrate into the society very well, and rumors of leprosy were reported, the Mormon Church undertook to settle them as a group in Skull Valley,' reads the nomination form. 'In time a community of 228 souls was developed in which the Polynesian culture flourished. Fish were raised in the springs and marshes nearby. The luau was preserved as were many of their dances and customs. The Polynesians were popular performers throughout the area.' After the church built a temple in Hawaii, many of the original settlers returned to Hawaii, and Iosepa was abandoned. 'However, a few remained in the area of losepa and Utah. Today descendants visit the region to view 'the land of their inheritance,'' reads the National Register application. The Memorial Day weekend festival each year aims 'to honor the faith and sacrifice of our Kupuna who lived here long ago,' reads the Iosepa Historical Association website, using the Hawaiian word to denote community elders. A pavilion, kitchen and other amenities have been added to the cemetery over the years by the organization.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Yahoo
18-year-old Tooele Co. driver arrested in alleged DUI crash that killed 16-year-old
TOOELE, Utah () — An 18-year-old man was arrested on Sunday, accused of being behind the wheel in a DUI crash that killed his 16-year-old passenger. Jaxon Douglas-David Wood was booked on one second-degree felony charge of automobile homicide as well as misdemeanor DUI, reckless driving, possession of drug and drug paraphernalia, alcohol-restricted driver, and consumption of alcohol by a minor. According to Utah Higway Patrol, the crash happened shortly before 3 a.m. on Sunday, March 30. Deputies believe a single pickup truck had veered off the side of SR-36 near mile marker 30 and rolled. Both Wood and the unidentified 16-year-old passenger were ejected from the truck in the crash. When deputies from Utah Highway Patrol arrived, Wood was reportedly standing nearby while a Tooele County Sheriff's Office deputy performed CPR on the unconscious 16-year-old victim. The 16-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene by medical responders several minutes later. Ogden man accused of killing girlfriend's two kittens in family fight Investigators say they found open alcoholic containers among the crash debris as well as a THC vape pen and several nicotine products. Investigators also believe neither Wood nor the victim were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash. Wood allegedly admitted to Utah Highway Patrol deputies that he had been behind the wheel at the time of the crash. He reportedly had been driving home at speeds as high as 85 miles per hour from a bonfire party where he allegedly admitted to having had a couple of beers. Utah Highway Patrol reported Wood had 'very red bloodshot eyes' and 'very slurred speech.' Wood also allegedly struggled to keep his balance and failed to perform several Field Sobriety Tests. 'Driving at high speeds in the dark on a two lane highway while drunk is reckless driving behavior. When individuals are inebriated their reaction time and perception of events is distorted and their ability to follow traffic rules is impaired,' A UHP deputy wrote in arresting documents. '[Wood's] choice to drive fast and impaired shows wanton disregard for the safety of not only himself and his passenger but also the motoring public.' Court records show Wood has been ordered to be held without bail, pending a pretrial hearing. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
