California boy dies after dunes accident

A California boy died Tuesday morning after an accident in the Imperial County Sand Dunes. According to the California Highway Patrol, the 13 year old child was from Santee, Calif.

Police said the boy was driving a 2006 Suzuki Quad Racer R450 at about 10:20 a.m. California time in the open desert area of the sand dunes north of Interstate 8 and east of the Coachella Canal.

According to police, the boy went over a sand dune crest and became airborne. Upon impact he lost control of the vehicle and was ejected, sustaining fatal injuries.

CHP said the boy was air lifted to the El Centro Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead due to internal injuries at 11:55 a.m. California time by an attending physician.

CHP said the boy was wearing a helmet, and added alcohol or drug impairment is not suspected to be a contributing factor in the accident.

CHP is currently investigating the cause of the accident.

Chris McDaniel can be reached at cmcdaniel@yumasun.com or 539-6849.