Overview
- Fire crews and police say the crash north of Lake Pleasant, reported around 2 p.m. Sunday, sent nine people to hospitals, including four in critical condition with three airlifted.
- Seven rode in the UTV — most 16 to 18 — and two adults were in the pickup, with ages across both vehicles ranging from 16 to 48.
- Investigators describe a head-on impact on a dirt curve and say blowing dust likely cut visibility.
- Police report some UTV riders were not properly seated and say neither impairment nor high speed is suspected, with both vehicles around 25 mph.
- Reaching the remote site took crews more than 30 minutes on unpaved roads, prompting a multi-agency response and highlighting that county roads require licensed, insured UTV operation.