Jamboree rollover burn victim dies

RACHEL ANNE GRAY

Rachel Anne Gray, the woman critically burned in an accident on the Rubicon Trail during the Jeepers Jamboree, has died.

Longtime friend and family liaison Chris Patton confirmed that Gray, 21, of El Dorado Hills, died away Sept. 1 at 11:45 p.m.

Leesa Williams, Gray’s mother, wrote on the Facebook page for Gray that “Rachel’s family needs to express our sincerest gratitude and graciousness to each and all for your support these past days for our beautiful and glorious Lil Miss. Last night Rachel received her golden wings.”

Friends and strangers alike had already taken to the Facebook page to offer their condolences.

“The thing that amazes me most is that Rachel was not only a runner, an amazing friend to many and inspiring in so many ways, she is also an angel, a visionary, a muse, an oracle,” wrote Scott Johnston. “So many quotes of wisdom! I am glad to have known her even if it was for a very brief time. Godspeed Rachel!”

“When I read your post this morning I was numb,” wrote Dave Muller. “Please know my heart aches for you today, I shed tears. While I was not blessed to know Rachel personally, she certainly touched my heart.”

Friend Renae Keith Wait wrote, “There are so many people that have been blessed by being part of your life and experiencing the most contagious smile I have ever seen. Your smile will live on forever in our hearts. You have brightened the lives of everyone who knows you and now it’s your time to brighten the heavens.”

Gray was traveling on the Rubicon Trail in Placer County, “heading northbound on the trail, near the middle of Cadillac Hill” when she veered off the side of the road, said Officer Dan Stark of the CHP. The vehicle rolled over multiple times, ejecting Gray and Mike Baggerman, 34, of Pilot Hill.

A fire erupted from the vehicle, setting fire to the surrounding area. The gasoline Gray had landed in began burning. Gray suffered “major injuries” while the passenger suffered “minor injuries,” Stark said.

Rebecca Murphy of the Georgetown Gazette, who was covering the Jamboree, reported that Gray’s vehicle had been traveling uphill when it veered off, possibly as a cause of a vehicle coming downhill. The CHP report listed the accident as only a “solo vehicle” accident.

“Gasoline spewed from the vehicle as it rolled 150-200 feet down the cliff,” Murphy wrote in notes brought out of the Rubicon by Chelsea Esposito, Mountain Democrat and Georgetown Gazette Publisher Richard Esposito’s daughter, who hiked out. “The woman identified by Stark as Gray had fallen into the gasoline when the vehicle caught fire, causing “the flames (to shoot up) the hill. The flames burned off her clothes and from 70 to 90 percent” of her body, Murphy wrote.

Gray was being treated at UC Davis Medical Center for burns covering 75 percent of her body. Her left leg below the knee had to be amputated.

Information on services was to be announced Tuesday afternoon.

Cole Mayer

Cole Mayer started writing for the Mountain Democrat in early 2012. He has written news, features and opinions in the past, and currently works the crime, court and fire beat.

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