UPDATED: County worker killed in fall during e-bike crash on SR-18 near Brookside | News | stgeorgeutah.com

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Updated at 10:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8: Washington County Sheriff’s Office issued a press release in regards to the death of a man riding an e-bike near state Route 18.

“A Washington County employee, Randy Cronk, was riding a bicycle when he suddenly exited the path and crashed near milepost 22,” the press release stated. “Cronk was part of a larger group traveling south on the new bike trail as part of the official opening hosted by the Greater Zion Convention & Tourism Office. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.”

County tourism officials also gave a statement regarding Cronk and his commitment to the community.

“We are shocked and saddened by Randy’s sudden passing today,” Greater Zion Convention & Tourism Office Director Brittany McMichael said in the press release. “He was a tremendous person who woke up every day intent on making our community a better place for all to live, including his significant contributions to this new trail. He will be honored and greatly missed, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.”

Photo shows emergency personnel assisting a rider who later dies at the scene after crashing an electric bicycle during a group ride on state Route 18 near Dammeron Valley, Utah, Nov. 8, 2024.

A rider died from head injuries sustained when he fell from an electric bicycle and crashed off of state Route 18 in Washington County on Friday.

Shortly after 11 a.m., officers and emergency personnel were dispatched to SR-18 at mile marker 22, a few miles north of Dammeron Valley, on a report of a crash involving a single e-bike.

Deputy Graham Hancock, with the Washington County Sheriff's Office, told St. George News that responders arrived to find a man, who appeared to be in his 70s, lying on the ground and seriously injured.

The man was being treated by emergency medical personnel for what appeared to be a head injury, while Intermountain Life Flight launched from St. George en route to the scene.

Hancock said that life-saving efforts continued until the medical helicopter arrived, but those efforts were ultimately unsuccessful and the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

At the time of the incident, the man was participating in a group ride consisting of several other riders. The man reportedly swerved off the roadway and crashed, falling from the bike in the process.

"We're not sure if he swerved to avoid something, but he swerved off the roadway at about 15 mph and fell from the bike when it crashed," Hancock said.

Photo shows Dammeron Valley Fire and Rescue at the scene of fatal e-bike crash on state Route 18 in Washington County, Utah, Nov. 8, 2024.

Hancock stated those are preliminary findings only. The incident is still under investigation, which is being handled by the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

The rider's identity is not being released at this time and no further details were available at the time of this report.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office, Dammeron Valley Fire and Rescue, Brookside Fire Department, Veyo Fire Department and Intermountain Life Flight responded and assisted at the scene.

This report is based on statements from court records, police or other responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.

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