A Utah father and his 16-year-old daughter were killed in a horrifying accident in Ogden Canyon after the pickup truck they were traveling in was struck by a flying bulldozer.
According to reports, Richard Hendrickson, CEO of Lifetime Products, was driving with his wife and three kids when a tow truck, traveling in the opposite direction, lost its grip of the mini bulldozer it was hauling and launched it on the family’s vehicle.
According to the Department of Public Safety, about 12:49 p.m., a tow truck hauling heavy equipment was traveling eastbound when it tried to turn.
While “negotiating a right-hand curve,” the “bulldozer broke free” from the tow truck and launched it into Hendrickson’s GMC pickup, that was driving westbound, with a boat towing behind.
Richard – CEO of Lifetime Products, an outdoor furniture and sporting goods store – and his 16-year-old daughter Sally were killed, while three others – confirmed to be his wife Julie and two of four children – were treated in hospital for minor injuries.
According to her Facebook profile, Lyssa, the Hendrickson’s fourth child, is living in Thailand and working as a Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints.
‘Sorely missed’
Tributes started pouring in for the “trusted and cherished” man, who’s called a “visionary” by his friends and colleagues.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the tragic and sudden passing of our CEO and President, Richard David Hendrickson. This heartbreaking incident also claimed the life of one of his daughters, Sally,” Lifetime Products writes in a statement. Describing the man as “more than a company leader,” the statement continues, “He was also a visionary and a friend to many within our business and the wider community.”
Barry Mower, the founder of the organization, adds to the message, “He was one of my most trusted and cherished friends and will be sorely missed.”
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox shared his condolences to the family on X, writing, “Richard was a friend and incredible leader. We are heartbroken by his tragic passing with his daughter Sally.” Cox adds, “We mourn with the surviving members of his family and pray they will find comfort and healing.”
Replying to the governor’s post, one user tweets, “Praying for Richard’s family, this is absolutely senseless! Gov Cox you and your administration MUST do something to strictly regulate and severely penalize unsafe loads.”
Risky passageway
Following the tragic deaths, a petition was launched to restrict larger vehicles from traveling the narrow “two-lane passageway” that’s “flanked by the Ogden River on one side and steep mountain cliffs on the other.”
The petition, that as of Tuesday had about 3,300 signatures of its 5000 goal, explains, “We are raising this petition to enforce regulation on the types of vehicles permitted on Highway 39 that transverses the heart of Ogden Canyon. There is an urgent need to limit the particular categories of vehicles that can drive through this constricted roadway, ensuring the security of all who rely on it.”
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