1 man dead and 3 dogs injured in UTV accident along Hunter Road
By Garrett Christensen on Tuesday, October 15th, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
UNION COUNTY – (Release from the Union County Sheriff’s Office) One man is dead after an accident between a UTV and a vehicle on Hunter Road and Booth Lane outside of La Grande.
On Sunday at 7 p.m., dispatch was notified of an injury accident. When the Union County Sheriff Deputy arrived on scene, he learned the victim had been driving his ATV near the intersection when he was struck by a vehicle. He was deceased at the scene.
UCSO will not be releasing his information because next of kin has not been notified. He did not live in the community.
The driver of the other vehicle is not facing criminal charges.
The victim had three dogs with him in his UTV. They were injured during the accident. One was found and taken immediately to the Animal Health Center. The other two dogs ran away. Responders attempted to find the animals but had to assist in the accident and focus on the victim.
Julia Boland, who had been passing by the scene when the crash happened, took it upon herself to help find the dogs.
Julia, her husband Brian, and her sister Diana, pulled over to help where they could at the time of the crash.
“(My sister and) I went after the dog we had seen running north,” Julia said.
One of the dogs had stayed on the scene and had injuries. Julia and Diana took the dog immediately to the Animal Health Center. They both returned to the scene to look for the other two dogs.
“We found it at the trailer we assumed (the victim) lived in,” said Julia, who had taken that dog to the vet, as well. Though they continued to look for the third dog they were unable to find it. Finally, yesterday morning, the veterinary clinic called Julia and said they had found the third dog back at the same trailer.
All three dogs were examined and given some calming medication. Marisa Vaughn, who works at the Animal Health Clinic, said the dogs sustained no serious injuries and are currently resting comfortably.
Thank you to the Island City Fire Department, La Grande Fire Department, Oregon State Police and the La Grande Police Department for their assistance with this call.
