WASHINGTON COUNTY, Utah, April 6, 2026 (Gephardt Daily) — A 23-year-old ATV driver has been arrested for alleged negligent operation of a vehicle with serious bodily injury and driving under the influence after allegedly crashing on Sand Mountain, injuring herself and three passengers.
An arrest document for Harlie Rae Nelson says she was arrested shortly after midnight Monday morning after rangers were dispatched to the scene, and found the ATV engulfed in flames and four people with injuries.
“The vehicle had jumped approximately 15 feet from a dune to flat ground, resulting in a vehicle fire,” says an arrest document filed by an officer of the Washington County Corrections.
“The first occupant had sustained third-degree burns from exposure to the fire and transported by Life Flight to Las Vegas burn center, a second 8-year-old female resulting in suspected neck injury and abrasions, a third occupant sustaining facial trauma, and the driver, identified as Harlie Nelson sustained fractured vertebrae and abdominal pain.
“Upon contact with Nelson, I, along with other assisting officers and medical personnel, observed signs of alcohol consumption consisting of red bloodshot eyes, and an odor of alcoholic beverages emitting from her person.”
Nelson was identified as the driver of the vehicle by involved others, and other witnesses had confirmed she had been drinking throughout the day, the court document says.
“A warrant was obtained for a blood draw from Nelson. Upon interview, Nelson confirmed she was the driver, and had been consuming alcohol throughout the day. Nelson was placed under arrest for driving under the influence.”
Nelson was arrested for investigation of:
- Negligently operating a vehicle with injury – serious bodily injury, a third-degree felony
- Negligently operating a vehicle resulting in injury, a class A misdemeanor
- Driving under the influence – passenger younger than 16
- Reckless endangerment, a class A misdemeanor
Nelson was ordered to be jailed at the Purgatory Correctional Facility, with bail. It is unclear whether she is currently hospitalized.
