Dunes Accident Leads to Citations, June 1

On May 27 at about 8:17 PM, 911 received a call regarding an injury accident in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area (ODNRA). The Coos County Sheriff’s Office, Hauser Fire Department and Bay Cities Ambulance responded. Two persons were transported to Bay Area Hospital and later released. The accident occurred in the ODNRA, North West of Beaver Slide Hill. The operator,26 year old Erik Kinney, of Fairfield California suffered a severe laceration to his head and a concussion. The passenger, Alexis Mandujano, age 20, of Citrus Heights California, received a strained jaw and sprained ankle. They were riding in a class IV ATV (side-by-side) when they became airborne off of a drop off, traveled approximately 25 feet through the air and nose-dived into a hill on the opposite side. Neither person was wearing seatbelts or helmets. Eric Kinney was issued citations for DUII, Dangerous Operation of an ATV and No Operating Privilege for a Class IV Atv. When operating a vehicle on or off the dunes, please remember to exercise appropriate caution, and always use appropriate protective equipment.