Yuma Marine dies in Dunes accident
The death of a Yuma Marine in the Imperial Sand Dunes prompted a statement from the Imperial County Coroner's Office warning operators of all terrain vehicles to take extra caution when cresting hills.
Marine Cpl. Cody Searway, 22, died Saturday at about 4:25 p.m. when the Honda Sport Track 450 he was riding went airborne over a sand dune and rolled, according to the Imperial County Coroner's Office.
He was wearing a helmet at the time.
"He was at Buttercup riding his ATV when he drove over the top of a sand dune we refer to as a razorback," said Charles Lucas, supervising deputy coroner.
"A razorback is a sand dune which has a normal slope on one side and a sheer cliff on the other. That is why when you crest a hill, you need to turn left or right at the top to prevent this sort of accident."
An autopsy is scheduled for Thursday.
