Accidents in sand dunes kill two over weekend

Jan 19, 2005

Two fatalities occurred in unrelated accidents in and around the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area during the holiday weekend, one of which resulted in an arrest.

A 12-year-old boy, from Orange, Calif., was riding an all-terrain vehicle and was killed after a sand rail struck the rear of the vehicle near Glamis, Calif., according to Robert Gonzales, public affairs officer with California Highway Patrol.

Thomas A. Flores was pronounced dead at 4:58 p.m. on Jan. 14 at the scene, about 30 minutes after the incident occurred, due to "blunt force trauma to the head," according to Gonzales.

Rocco V. Meoli, 27, from Corona del Mar, Calif., was the uninjured driver of the sand rail and arrested on suspicion of felony driving under the influence, according to Gonzales.

Although the collision is still under investigation, Gonzales said "it was safe to say" that Meoli could also be charged with manslaughter.

He was unable to provide the blood-alcohol level of Meoli.

A passenger in the sand rail, Dan Barber, 27, also from Corona del Mar, Calif., was uninjured and not arrested.

In a separate incident, 37-year-old Mathew L. Maurer, of Chandler, was killed in a single vehicle rollover accident a couple of miles east of the Ogilby exit on Interstate 8.

According to Imperial County Sheriff's Office, Maurer was traveling eastbound at a "high rate of speed" when the 2003 white Ford four-door pickup drifted off of the roadway and lost control around 7 p.m. on Jan. 14.

Maurer was pronounced dead at the scene, according to office spokesman Officer Joseph Miller.

Gonzales said the accident was still under investigation and that officers were still trying to determine if speed, alcohol or drugs were involved.

© Copyright, YumaSun.com

I saw the helicopter and quite a few sirens about 1/2 way between the drags and Gecko
loop. I was just pulling in and it was a madhouse in that area. I felt really sick when i saw the helicopter landing, My daughter began to pray for anyone injured .Does anyone know if this was the same accident ?

That was it

Terrible tragidy for both families involved.

Yes it was a nasty accident I have to say because my son is friends with the older brother of the boy that was killed. I thought the dunes were dangerous enough with out the alcohol.

I only feel bad for the boys family he left behind two brother one sister and two loving parents.

That is so sad. I do not know what I would do if I lost anyone I really cared about...especially due to a drunk driver. Accidents are bound to happen, but more so, when people are being irresponsible and not thinking of the other people they can hurt.

IIRC, .087 would not be a "felony" DUI ?

Actually the paper said they were considering a charge of manslaughter besides the felony DUI. And, if I am not mistaken, a felony DUI could not be "bargained down" to a manslaughter charge?
Not sure, but I think that would be one to ask your bosses about
From what I am reading about "felony" DUI it has to do with the amount of intoxication, not whether the suspected intoxication resulted in injury or death.

Either way-my thoughts and prayers go out to all involved

PEACE be with the families....


We all have to watch out for each other. Even if the alcohol was not a large amount, or truly had anything to do with this incident, it is surely going to be a
big issue in this persons case in court and in the COURT OF PUBLIC OPINION.

Weather he was intoxicated or not... what a damn shame...



" BE SAFE, BE SMART"

May the healing begin.

It is certainly tragic.

It is also a reminder that if we even have one beer and drive, and there is an accident, it won't be a good day.

New article in the O.C. Register

Boy, 12, killed in ATV accident
His vehicle collides with a dune buggy during outing to Glamis dunes near Imperial Valley.

By JIT FONG CHIN
The Orange County Register


A 12-year-old boy from Orange was killed Friday after an all-terrain vehicle he was riding collided with another vehicle in the Glamis sand dunes, police said.

Thomas Flores Herrera had been riding with a friend, also 12, near their Imperial Valley campsite. At about 4:30 p.m., Thomas' vehicle collided with a dune buggy and the boy was flung off, said Lt. Rick Macken of the Imperial County Sheriff's Department.

Thomas, who wore a helmet, was pronounced dead by helicopter medics a half-hour later, Macken said.

California Highway Patrol in El Centro declined Wednesday to reveal information on the dune buggy's driver.

Thomas' father, Ray Langarica, said his son was a funny, popular seventh-grader at Yorba Middle School.

"We normally don't let him go anywhere like that, but this was with one of his best friends. We had to let them go because he was doing good at school," Langarica said.

He said his son loved pranks and aspired to join the Army.

The boy will be buried in Utah, where his mother's family lives. Handy Elementary and Yorba Middle schools are accepting donations on the family's behalf.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTACT US: (714) 704-3704 or jchin@ocregister.com

Sad indeed,
Even if NO alcohol/drugs/stupidity was involved, I am sure the Buggy driver will never forget this accident or even the passenger for that matter.
Our thoughts go out for the Family and Friends, I HATE to read these things. This has been a terrible start to the Season, please be carefull.

This is a place for opinions. But let's not assume or judge.

We all have common sense... but being in some of these peoples shoes..not exactly, but quite commonly.. words can hurt. They all need your support.. no matter what side you decide you believe.

Don't always believe the papers. They don't always report the whole truth or story.

The 3 deaths I have been close to in the last 5 months... each paper has been WRONG!! They cause almost more problems than they are worth. That is fact.

Please don't be too quick to judge.

May all involved find peace and solice someday.. my prayers and my newly angels above, are with you all involved.

To Rocco and Thomas may GOD bless you.

The Begin's~

This year has hit too close to home as far deaths as far as children in G.

I'm sure we can count how many close calls we have all had at G. This year I've had about 5 cresting over a dune, me on a 3 wheeler and them on a long travel. Yes we had a close call and my DEPENDS were full but everything was OK.

No one can bring back the lives of the FRIENDS that we have lost this year,but maybe we can teach our friends and OUR CHILDREN to watch out for the other person.

The only reason that I can say this is that my son DOES NOT watch out for the other person. It scares the HELL out of me because one day some one will not see him.
WE were at EL Mirage last year and I thank the other person that was watching the cross road in which my son crossed and not hit my son.I was about 40 ft with in my son,this could have been a bad accident if the other rider was not watching.

I'm not trying to defend the driver or the rider but just trying to say that we all have to admit that in the sport that WE all do that ACCIDENTS can happen. And no, that alcohol has no place in any of this.

Just trying to say that accidents do happen!

ppl need to start thinkin wit there heads you drink you dont ride less problems and also ppl need to pay more attention to what there doing out there this is what gives glamis a bad rep well thats muh oppion on the matter

If I'm not mistaken, this was FHJ's friend. Didn't Steve say that the boy on the bike hit the buggy? Althought the accident was not the fault of the driver, and if he actually did blow a .087, will the charges of manslaughter still stand?

very misleading headline.

"Accidents in sand dunes kill two over weekend"

Damn biased journalism

If the people really wanted to slow others down and make it a safe place for familys with kids, on sand highway they would have posted signs at least 1/4 mile that the speed limit was 15 mph. My sister megan was a good friend of his and now she is really bumed that he is gone. He never made it to his best years of life and that's a shame. Glamis has rules but there not inforced like they should be and/or we should have harsher rules like if you speed on sand highway and a cop catches you your car should be impounded on the spot and for a minimum of 30 days at $50 a day. If that doesn't stop them then what will. People have such crazy cars that they should take them in the dunes and dune them like they came for. In the dunes you can't go 50 to 60 mph and kill someone like he did. Rangers should take the money and give it to the people who have sufferd the most.. THE VICTOMS FAMILIES. For example if you go to the dunes on a busy weekend like New Years and Thanksgiving you see people racing and ready to floor it up the hills and not worring about who is in the way. I have had people gloat about them doing 80 mph down sand highway racing his friends. Shure going fast is fun.. go fast at someone elses expence is not. Im 16 and my sister is 12 i have to watch her and every move she makes just to keep her safe.. now i have to worry about me and her getting hit on flat road??

• Sisters friend

Was the accident on Sand Highway, I heard it was about 1/4 to 1/2 mile from Gecko? On the back side of one of the ridges? I totally agree with speeds being inforced near camping areas. People get in their ride and think they can turn into Ivan Stewart right when they leave camp

I am the father of the other 12 yr old riding with Thomas just before he was struck and killed by Rocco Meoli and Dan Barber. Not only was I there, I also have two individuals that witnessed the accident and the casual approch they took before calling for help. They appeared to have been more concerned about their sandrail then a 12yr. old lying motionless in the sand. The accident was approx. 120-150 yards from our trailer, on flat surface. They weren't in the bowls or competition hill or oldsmobile, they were crusin near gecko road in a family area. Rocco and Dan caught everyones attention with the extreme noise and speed at which they were traveling. A greenish sandrail called "Yo This" with a high performance methyl alcohol engine should have been driven at the drags, not in front of a dozen or so parked RV's. My son and I have had several counseling sessions since last Friday. He still is not able to sleep at nights by himself. Thomas's mother and father are devastated. I went to Viet Nam and I know tragedies, none more sad then what Thomas and my family are going through. Although his blood alcohol level was only .087, we will recommend at least manslaughter charges be filed and I hope he spends a very long time in prison. Dan Barber should also go to jail as an accessory. If anyone can help with the Thomas Flores Memorial Fund, please send what you can to Wells Fargo acct#3571836109, there was no life insurance policy. I'm sorry if I sound bitter, I will never forget you Thomas.

I can only hope that I never have to know the pain you and your families are going
through. I to have a 12 yr old son, and this really hits home.

May you and every one involved find "PEACE" ..

Another example of more $$$$ and HP than brains. My heart goes out to the family who lost the 12 year old.

As far as Rocco is concerned, if he was drinking I hope he is charged and held accountable.




EDIT: I was asked to removed my eff you statement untill all the facts come in and to allow for cooler heads which I agree we all need.

In Loving Memory:
Thomas Flores
born 3/1/92 died 1/14/05
There will be a memorial Service in the City of Orange Thursday 1/27/05

Anyone needing information or photos of Thomas, please e-mail me.
delsonsilva@hotmail.com

Everyone has been awesome, so supportive. The kind words and warmth are much appreciated. I cry so much. Never before or after Viet Nam have I been so effected by such a tragic event that I would cry like a baby. I'm sorry.

dellsilva,
I for 1 don't think You sound bitter at all.
Seeing something like this would make anyone CRY.

If these statements are true, its another case of a campground racer with more money/alcohol than brains.

Hope everything works out for You and Your Son.

Dellsilva, there is no need to apologize; you are reacting to a horrible tragedy.

Our hearts and thoughts are with you, and with everyone involved. Healing will take a very long time.

Ours is a very dangerous sport, as has been driven home to us far too often this season already. As an outsider to this, as a friend to someone who recently suffered a similar tragedy, as a fellow duner, a mother, a human being, I want to ask that we, all of us, please remember it is not our role to be judge and jury here.

You are in our thoughts and our hearts and our hope that somehow our strength can find you and help you and yours through this awful time.

Hug each other, support each other, find your peace.

Vicki

I really hate this post, but it happened, it needs to be told. I too, like many have kids that age that ride. I also went to Handy elem. and Yorba Jr High in Orange like they did (like it matters, it just hits closer to home). My prayers are with you, and I hope the courts don't drop the ball on this one....

.08 is legally DUI in Cali.

.04 if He happened to have a Commercial DL.
And it don't matter what He was driving.

Just the Facts

Although we are not related, since my last name is also Flores, I have been affected...what if it was one of my kids?

May God bless you in this unimaginable time...

After reading this post and talking with my wife, I'm truly want to express my condolences to the family and friends involved in this horrible tragedy.

I'm however disgusted with the direction that some of these threads go, as well as others. While most of us are moral and responsible, there are some that will say or accuse the parents or the supervising adult for this event and relieve some of the blame from the guilty party. These guys were DRUNK! I can't believe people are saying .087 isn't "that drunk". If you are one of those, you really need to reassess your morals and values.

Just this season I am teaching my 12 year old daughter and her friends how to ride as they come out to camp with us. I teach them the rights and wrongs the best I can in camp and then take them on short rides. Even when I have been right by their sides on sand highway hugging the right or left sides, there's always some jack*** that feels the need to go screaming down the side of them scaring them. There have been rails, truck, quads, and bikes. I honestly don't know what I would do if someone were to hit my daughter or one of her friends, but I'm certain there would be 2 people needing medical attention.

I am speechless after reading this thread. MY thoughts and prayers are out to The Flores family and all affected by this.

I just have one question why would Dan Barber be at fault? as a passenger?? Accessory? If that is true, there are a lot peeps that need to practice what they preach. I see this drinking and driving Shiat goin on ALL the time. Yes alot of them are GD.com peeps. Everytime I read about a tragedy like this I get so angry, some of the same peeps that are talking down on people like the Rocco, are doing the same thing. DRINKING and DRIVING or riding.

For those that say he was only .087. If that .087 ran into one of your family members would it still be ok? The difference between .087 and 0 could be the difference between life and death. We will never know that though.

I would have to admit to myself and the law that there were other factors involved, if this had happened to me. Alcohol was obviously present. No whip, an unstrapped helmet, and an inexperienced child might also be factors, if indeed these are facts of the case. I don't know for sure as I wasn't there.

The question that is running through my mind is would the same thing have happened if Rocco hadn't been drinking? From what i have read and from what I have experienced at Glamis, it is entirely possible.

This is an absolute disaster that will probably have far more effects

The new "Math"

More new and inexperienced riders (both young and old) + High performance machines - less space to ride and disperse - less dune etiquette=


A Friggen Tragedy

Please don't mis-interpret the above, I still say regardless of the alcohol issue, it's still the responsibility of adults to watch out for kids when driving

The sad truth is ... WE ALL NEED TO DRIVE RESPONSIBILY.

Even if he was not drunk it does not take much to be in an accident.

Not awake yet
To much coffeee
Sand in your eyes
Sun in your eyes
Miss shift and look down (if even for a second)
Thinking about what a beautiful day it is.


You get it.

But that is no excuse for not being responsibile and not driving fast in a FAMILY
AREA, kids will be kids , and they are not as developed as we are supposed to
be to have the instincts to watch. WE HAVE TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN.

May you all find "PEACE" . Please watch out for my 12 yr old. I'll tell and teach him
to watch out for you.

THANKS