A terrible accident in Ogden Canyon, Utah, left a father and his 16-year-old daughter dead, sending shockwaves through their family and community. Richard Hendrickson, the CEO of Lifetime Products, was driving with his wife and three children on a narrow, winding road when disaster struck.
The day was Saturday, July 6, 2024, when Richard, 57, and his daughter, Sally, were in their GMC pickup truck, towing a boat. They were heading west on the two-lane road that winds through the stunning Ogden Canyon, located in the eastern part of Weber County, Utah.
The family was enjoying a peaceful drive, unaware of the horror waiting for them just ahead.
Around 12:49 p.m., a tow truck traveling in the opposite direction was hauling a mini bulldozer. As it approached a right-hand curve in the road, something went horribly wrong.
The bulldozer broke free from the tow truck and flew into the air, slamming directly into the Hendrickson family’s vehicle.
The impact was catastrophic. Richard and Sally were killed instantly, leaving the rest of the family in shock. Richard’s wife, Julie, and two of their other children, were seriously shaken but survived with only minor injuries. Their fourth child, Lyssa, was not with them that day.
She lives in Thailand, working as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and was spared the devastating loss of both her father and sister.
The crash has left the surviving family members struggling to cope with the unimaginable pain of losing two loved ones in such a horrific way. As news of the accident spread, tributes began to pour in for Richard and Sally.
“Richard was more than just our CEO,” Lifetime Products, the company Richard led, said in a statement. “He was a visionary and a cherished friend to many within our business and the wider community. He will be sorely missed.”
Barry Mower, the founder of Lifetime Products, shared his sorrow, saying, “Richard was one of my most trusted and cherished friends, and his loss is deeply felt.”
BREAKING: A petition to regulate the types of vehicles allowed in Ogden Canyon has been created after a crash resulted in the death of Utah CEO Richard Hendrickson and his daughter Sally on Saturday.https://t.co/f7EWKYitgU
— ABC4 News (@abc4utah) July 9, 2024
Utah Governor Spencer Cox also shared his condolences on social media, calling Richard “an incredible leader and friend” and expressing his heartache over the loss of both Richard and his daughter. “We mourn with the surviving members of his family and pray they will find comfort and healing,” Cox wrote.
One user replied to the governor’s post, calling the accident “absolutely senseless” and urging action to prevent unsafe loads on the road. “You and your administration MUST do something to strictly regulate and severely penalize unsafe loads,” the user wrote.
Following the tragedy, a petition was started to prevent larger vehicles from traveling on the dangerous stretch of road in Ogden Canyon. The petition, which has gathered over 3,000 signatures out of a 5,000-signature goal, calls for stricter regulations on the types of vehicles allowed on the narrow, winding highway.
The petition explains that the road is “flanked by the Ogden River on one side and steep mountain cliffs on the other,” making it a risky passageway for any vehicle, especially large ones.
Richard was a friend and incredible leader. We are heartbroken by his tragic passing with his daughter Sally. We mourn with the surviving members of his family and pray they will find comfort and healing. https://t.co/HgTS2yGUvF
— Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) July 7, 2024
The petition urges authorities to act quickly to ensure the safety of everyone who uses this road.
The devastating accident has left the Hendrickson family, their friends, and the community grieving the loss of two beloved people. Richard’s colleagues, friends, and even strangers have been moved by the family’s tragedy, and many are coming together to support them during this heartbreaking time.
What are your thoughts on this story? Please share your feelings in the comments below. Let’s spread love and support to the Hendrickson family and everyone who has been affected by this heartbreaking loss.
