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SMOKE rises to the east of Rubicon Springs from the wild land fire that started after a four-wheel drive jeep rolled over on Cadillac Hill and exploded. Witnesses said the vehicle fell 150 feet. Gazette photo by Rebecca Murphy
An accident during the 60th annual Jeepers Jamboree saw two victims being transported by air ambulance Saturday to UC Davis Medical Center.
Rachel Anne Gray, 21, of El Dorado Hills, 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 her unidentified male passenger, 34, of Pilot Hill.
The vehicle caught fire, Stark said, which also set fire to the surrounding area. Gray suffered “major injuries” while the passenger suffered “minor injuries,” Stark said.
Rebecca Murphy of the Georgetown Gazette 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, 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. Murphy also reported that two males were injured, not one; one had a neck injury, the other had a broken ankle.
The fire forced evacuations of the surrounding area.
A spokesperson from UC Davis Medical Center said that Gray is listed in critical condition.
As a result of the fire and accident most the Jamboree participants spent an extra day in Rubicon Springs before being able to drive out at 7 a.m. Monday
The Mountain Democrat does not necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full policy
MissyJuly 30, 2012 - 7:16 pm
Sending Prayers to the family!!
KateJuly 31, 2012 - 1:36 pm
You can make a donation here: Please make your donations at El Dorado Savings Bank under Rachel Anne Gray. Account # is 263017782. Thank you again for everyone's support and remember every little bit helps. — with Rachel Anne Gray.
ConcernedJuly 31, 2012 - 7:06 pm
She's a great gal!! Can we get an update on how she's doing?
John ArenzAugust 01, 2012 - 1:02 am
Evacuations? Nothing to evacuate there. Didn't happen. Spewing gasoline and shooting flames? Can we stick to news? It should also be noted that though the article might make one assume that the accident happened as part of the Jeepers Jamboree activity, the JJ activity shceduled at that time was dinner in Rubicon Springs. The folks tragically injured here were traveling the trail on their own. My heart goes out to Rachel and her family. I only knew her to say, "Hi", but she did that with a smile.
Dan StannageAugust 01, 2012 - 10:36 am
BAN GAS POWERED TOYS FROM THE FOREST DURING FIRE SEASON!!
TamaraAugust 01, 2012 - 7:10 pm
This is so very sad to me. For updates find the Rachael anne gray foundation on FB. Also, banning "gas toys" is irrelevant. This beautiful girl needs everyone's prayers not another moron slamming JJ and the rubiconers! Prayers Go out to her and her family!
Chris FletcherAugust 01, 2012 - 7:26 pm
It is better to prevent accidents than to mourn about the consequences. I do not see where Dan Stannage said anything negative about the victims of this horrible accident. My prayers go out to them and their families. I happen to agree with him. The point is valid. We could be talking about another horrendous wildfire now because of this, with more injuries, property loss, and death, and everyone is thankful that we got lucky this time and the fire did not spread. There are intelligent anti-fire controls in place during fire season. What's wrong with minimizing the use of non-essential vehicles that are intended to be roughly driven on tricky terrain, increasing the possibility that they will roll and spew gasoline? Are we that selfish?
Jim TechAugust 01, 2012 - 7:36 pm
Don't drink and drive, people always get hurt... Always :-(
Nathan foltzAugust 01, 2012 - 7:48 pm
Classy post John.
BobAugust 01, 2012 - 8:28 pm
We need to ban lightning too for idiots like Dan. Go to the bay area where you belong and leave the forest for this who love and use it. My prayers go out to Rachel and her friend and family.
MarshallAugust 01, 2012 - 8:48 pm
There's better words than classy, but no need to use them. We should be praying for a life, not posting asinine restrictions on public land
TamaraAugust 01, 2012 - 11:23 pm
So it must have been the picture of smoke that drew Dan and Chris to this article? Not that a beautiful girl was hurt...? I must say that the ignorance is disgraceful. The land ur homes are built on and the roads u drive on have destroyed more trees than that fire!! I do believe that there are a lot of fires every year that are started every year next to our freeways from yuppies like u driving to the city. I love nature and have traveled the rubicon trails many times but I would chose to watch 2000 acres burn before this poor young girl. The importance of this article isn't the 2 acre fire!! U all should be so lucky as she is to have such support and wonderful friends and family.
Ken HowerAugust 02, 2012 - 11:51 am
Dan...really. In the World According to Dan, you'd have to ban cars driving on EVERY road in the forest, including I80 and I50. There are more car crashes and vehicle fires while in the FOREST, on I50 and I80. Enjoy your bubble Dan...While you've been watching it on TV, Rachel was out living.
JillAugust 02, 2012 - 8:18 pm
Rachel our hearts and prays are with you. You have so much to fight for you are so young and we all love you so much. Stay strong you have so much love and support and we know you can fight through this. Everyday is a battle with new challenges and different medical unknowns but so far you have fought through all of your surgeries and the rest to come to only get closer to a recovery. Your smile and love and beautiful heart is all I think about, this is a tragedy and it hurts to see a friend go through what you went through but you were doing something you loved and its unfortunate but accidents happen, and we never know when something tragic is going to happen. The only thing we know is the support we can give to each other for a successful recovery. Love you Rach! Praying for you everyday.
William FurstAugust 02, 2012 - 9:26 pm
Chris Fletcher- After reading these posts, I must conclude that the answer to your last question is a resounding "yes".
Scott JohnstonAugust 02, 2012 - 11:26 pm
One thing I would like to bring to attention. Good thing it is not fire season! There are currently no restrictions on fires. Even if they were, cars get in accidents ALL the time. Sometimes they catch fire, ask any fireman. Do we really ban travel on an Interstate because of an accident? Not.
Really??August 03, 2012 - 8:34 am
You really don't see ANY difference in fire hazard between a vehicle burning on the interstate , vs. a vehicle burning in the middle of a wilderness area? Really? Really? See if you can locate a five year old and ask him to explain it to you.
MattAugust 04, 2012 - 5:23 am
Best wishes on their recovery. For those that don't offroad - it is a wonderful, exciting thing. America is about protecting the rights of the minority. Just because you live outside the offroading world doesn't mean that you should try to impose your twisted nanny rules on others. Step up to the plate and be an American. Or move to Europe and leave the rest of us alone.
Sam Wilson, Cameron ParkAugust 05, 2012 - 4:33 pm
Dang straight. As an American, I have the right to set the forest on fire. Its in the constitution, I'm pretty sure.
4x4 in motion club memberAugust 08, 2012 - 9:32 am
Check out her facebook page for updats on her condition: The Rachel Anne Gray Foundation. Her mom is updating everyone on her condition as often as she can.
David BrezinskiAugust 10, 2012 - 11:34 am
I am a burn victim as well; car accident many years ago. I was stopped in the hallway at work by a neighbor of this family who inquired about my scars and shared this horrible news. My heart goes out to Rachel and her family. I am going to do what I can to pay her a visit and in the interim Rachel and her family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Stephannie BlancoSeptember 04, 2012 - 1:29 pm
Kevin Hower. thank you for your words. At least someone is speaking the truth on her. I did not know Rachel, but at least she was doing something she loved. A lot of people are too scared to have fun. It is unfortunate that not all fun involves safety. My prayers are with her friends and family during this horrible time. May Rachel rest in peace with the angels.
stephannie blancoSeptember 04, 2012 - 1:35 pm
Ken* excuse me.