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July Update

Megan Marie Lopez

In January 2022 Megan Marie Lopez was killed in an accident in Ocotillo Wells on Shell Reef Expressway. She was hit head on by a side-by-side and died at the scene. There was dust and the driver may have been “trying to catch up” and crossed to the wrong side of the trail. Megan was 25 years old, engaged to be married and was about to graduate from university. The depth of this tragedy is hard to overstate. Her family, friends and community were devastated. I would like to discuss two topics related to this, her memorial and safety training.

After the accident, Megan’s brother built a memorial along Shell Reef Expressway where Megan passed away. It sat as a quiet reminder for two years without controversy. Recently the park told Megan’s family that the memorial needs to be removed from the park, either by the family or Ocotillo Wells staff. While this feels pretty cold, we have to look at the Park’s position on it. There is state law called CEQA, California Environmental Quality act. When you do any “ground disturbing activity” on state land you have to do the environmental work, which is described in CEQA. This memorial was installed without any CEQA work, so it violates state law. The memorial is right next to a well-traveled road and should a motorcycle or ATV move off the road because of dust or traffic, it could present a hazard. Ocotillo Wells is a recreational park, not a memorial park. Where would the line be drawn? Suppose we have a memorial site for everyone who died in the park. Let’s add memorials for dogs who died and for weddings performed. I personally don’t want to ride through a park full of memorials. That being said, Megan’s family is planning a memorial ride in the park this coming October and I’m hoping the park will allow the site to remain until after the ride. I saw an email that stated the park wants the memorial removed by July 16 at 6:30am. If it’s not removed by then, the park will remove it. I have joined a group of individuals and organizations in asking the park to reconsider the timing of requiring the removal of the memorial. This is what I sent to the superintendent of Ocotillo Wells:

“I would like to comment on the proposed removal of the Megan Memorial in Ocotillo Wells SVRA on July 16, 2024. I have a strong personal love for Ocotilo Wells, as I have regularly recreated there since 1977. I appreciate how the park is managed. I have never encountered an undesirable restroom, appropriate roads are graded, and staff are helpful. I am also familiar with Megan’s story and share the sadness associated with her passing. I have seen the memorial set up for her first hand and I agree with the family that safety while recreating is of the utmost importance. Ocotillo Wells is a recreational park, not a memorial park and I feel for park staff in their efforts to manage the park for all users. I do not oppose the removal of the memorial from the park, but I do question the timing. The family is planning a memorial ride this coming October and they would like to conclude the ride at the memorial. I see no reason why the removal of the memorial cannot wait until after the ride. Very few visitors will pass by there between now and then and it would mean a lot to the family for the memorial to stay where it is and as it is for the next three months. Please consider this request and don’t hesitate to reach out to me about this or any other Ocotillo Wells related topics.”

Megan’s family has stated that safety for off-road vehicle users is very important, and they feel that mandatory safety training should be required. Currently Utah, Oregon and most recently Arizona, have implemented mandatory safety training for off-road vehicle users. California also requires boaters to take safety training. Off-roading has always been dangerous, so why training now? In the last few years, the number of side-by-sides being used has exploded. Some of these highly capable vehicles are being purchased and used by people with very little experience and as a result, there have been a high number of tragic accidents. I personally hit a side-by-side head on while riding my dirt bike in Tectonic Gorge (we both braked and it was just a firm tap but scared me bad), and more recently I was with a group where one brand new owner/driver turned his side-by-side over in a turn. He put his arm out and received a compound fracture, getting him helicoptered out. I agree something needs to be done.

At the last two State Parks Safety Summits there were many agency staff in attendance. This big increase in the number of accidents puts pressure on agency staff to manage more effectively. We advocates and the agency staff all realize that the people we need to educate are very difficult for us to reach. While I don’t like anyone, especially the government, telling me what I can and can’t do, I support the idea of implementing mandatory safety training for side-by-side drivers and possibly all OHV users. SDORC has hired a state lobbyist to help us with legislative and state agency issues (we share with CORVA) and we are interested in sponsoring a bill to require mandatory safety training. Our organizations are uniquely positioned to succeed in running a bill that will focus on the positives while minimizing the negatives. Even though I have a lot of experience off-roading, I took the Utah training and actually learned a couple of things. Stay tuned here for updates, as I expect it to be a bumpy ride over the next year. If you have strong feelings on the subject, please let us know at [email protected].

Update: the memorial was removed on the morning of July 16. Mega’s family was there and took possession of the memorial.

Ed Stovin