WASHINGTON COUNTY, Utah — One person was critically injured Sunday when an off-roading vehicle crashed and caught fire in southern Utah. The driver has also been charged with driving under the influence and other offenses.
The Utah Department of Natural Resources said its law enforcement officers were called to the fire in the Sand Mountain area of Washington County around 6:30 p.m. There were reportedly four people riding in the vehicle.
DNR officials said one of the passengers suffered critical injuries. That victim was airlifted to a hospital in Nevada.
The driver was taken to a hospital in Washington County, according to DNR, and the other two suffered lesser but varying injuries.
On Monday, 25-year-old Harlie Rae Nelson was charged with two counts of negligently operating a vehicle resulting in injury — one felony and one misdemeanor — as well as driving under the influence and reckless endangerment, both misdemeanors.
The arrest report stated that the vehicle caught fire after it jumped about 15 feet from a sand dune to flat ground. The arresting officer, with the Washington County Sheriff's Office, said the critically injured victim suffered third-degree burns.
Both Nelson and witnesses admitted that she had been drinking throughout the day and was driving when the accident occurred.
