Family mourns teen who died in Juab County ATV crash

A teen who died this weekend in an ATV crash in Juab County was remembered by his mother as "one of the bubbliest, happiest individuals there ever was."

Jeremy William Bryant, 16, died when his ATV went over a 20-foot dune and crashed on Sand Mountain in Juab County, his mother, Shahri Bryant, confirmed on Sunday.

"It was a freak accident," Bryant said, noting her son was experienced in motor sports. "His dream was to become a motocross racer. He was always fully geared up. ... He loved anything with a motor and wheels."

Bryant said she has been receiving calls and messages all weekend from Jeremy's friends at Brighton High School, where he was a sophomore.

"There's parties tonight all over the valley of all of his friends," she said.

Tributes and messages appeared on his Facebook page, which is topped by a photograph of him break-dancing in redrock country.

"I remember the first time we had a dance battle," wrote one friend. "You won. ... Keep dancing up there. Have dance contests and show heaven what you are!"

Shahri Bryant said family and friends plan to hold a vigil at the dune where he died. He broke his neck and died at the scene, she said.

"He was well loved and changed a lot of people's lives just by going up and tapping them on the shoulder and smiling," Bryant said. "He helped and loved everybody and had fun doing it."

Jeremy Bryant is mourned by an older sister and two older brothers, one of whom recently returned from an Army tour in Afghanistan. The other, 17, was Jeremy's "best friend," Shahri Bryant said.

The family is planning a memorial service Friday; details have not been finalized.

ealberty@sltrib.com