ATV accident victim identified as Smithfield man

A Utah State Parks official has released the identity of a man who died in a Tuesday night in an ATV accident near Cache County's Bear River.

State Parks Lt. Eric Stucki said Jeremy Jay Hillyard, 32, of Smithfield, died from head injuries after his ATV tumbled 30 feet after he attempted to jump a hill near 1600 West and 6600 North, northwest of Smithfield, about 6 p.m. Tuesday. Hillyard was not wearing a helmet, Stucki said.

"After talking to witnesses, it seems Mr. Hillyard and two friends had gone out on private land to do a little riding and there was this 20-30 foot hill that [the victim] decided to jump. There was a 30-foot drop off on the other side, and that's where he got into trouble."

The ATV landed off-balance, Hillyard fell off and the vehicle rolled over him. He was pronounced dead at a Logan hospital later Tuesday night.

Stucki said the accident remained under investigation. Alcoholic beverages were found at the scene, but no determination had been made whether Hillyard was under the influence at the time of the crash.

remims@sltrib.com