Father and daughter die in Ogden Canyon incident; Lifetime CEO praised for long-standing support in Southern Utah – St George News

Two people were killed in an accident in which a mini bulldozer landed on a pickup truck after breaking loose from a tow truck on State Route 39 near Ogden Canyon in Weber County, Utah, July 6, 2024 | Photo courtesy of Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News

ST. GEORGE – A man and his daughter were killed in a traffic accident on State Route 39 in Ogden Canyon over the weekend after a mini bulldozer broke loose and fell on a pickup truck.

According to information received by UHP Lt. Cameron Roden on Monday, Utah Highway Patrol officers and emergency personnel responded Saturday to a report of a two-vehicle crash on SR-39 near the Ogden Canyon area in Weber County.

Authorities say the driver of a tow truck hauling a mini bulldozer was traveling east on SR-39 when he encountered a curve near mile marker 9. As he began to negotiate the curve, The mini-bulldozer came loose, slid off the driver’s side of the tow truck and landed on a GMC pickup truck that was pulling a boat and traveling in the opposite direction.

The motorway was subsequently closed in both directions while an accident reconstruction team was called to investigate the accident.

The driver of the GMC was identified as 57-year-old Richard Hendrickson of Uintah, who was traveling with his wife and three children at the time of the crash. He and his 16-year-old daughter Sally Hendrickson were pronounced dead at the scene.

His wife and two other children were taken to hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, while another daughter was traveling overseas and was not in the vehicle, Lifetime Products said in a statement released Sunday.

Hendrickson served as president and CEO of the Clearfield-based company and was celebrated as a visionary and industry leader with legendary mechanical skills who worked his way up the company over the course of his 36-year career.

“Richard started as a welder and, thanks to his exceptional talents and skills, rose through several levels of the company to become President and CEO. He was one of my most trusted and valued friends and will be greatly missed,” said Barry Mower, founder of Lifetime Products, in the press release.

“Life would not be the same without him. My love and deepest condolences go out to his loving family,” Mower added.

Hendrickson also served as a stake president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he enjoyed serving and will be sorely missed.

Hendrickson was known throughout the industry for his ability to connect with people – both within Lifetime and among its vendors and suppliers.

This quality was also emphasized by Ben Lindquist, General Manager of Canyon Media, who said that tragedies of this nature never make sense, especially when such incredible people are lost.

“Our entire team at Canyon Media and St George News is saddened by the loss of Richard and his daughter,” Lindquist said, adding that Hendrickson not only led an iconic Utah company that was a longtime sponsor of numerous local events — including Southern Utah’s Fourth of July celebrations — but was also known for his ability to reach out to others.

“I heard from several of our employees this weekend who commented that he always goes out of his way to say hello and thank you,” he said.

On behalf of Canyon Media, Lindquist said, “We extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends and the entire team at Lifetime.”

Founded in 1986, Lifetime Products is the world’s leading manufacturer of residential basketball hoops, polyurethane folding tables and chairs, and other outdoor products. In February of last year, the company opened a retail location at 530 East in St. George.

This report is based on statements from police, rescue workers or other emergency responders and may not reflect the full scope of the findings.

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