Tragic Utah Crash Claims Lives of Two Teen Drag Racers
A devastating high-speed rollover crash in western Utah has resulted in the deaths of two talented junior drag racers and left a third teenager with serious injuries. The incident occurred on Thursday evening near Delta city, sending shockwaves through the local community and the racing world.
Fatal Moments on Weiss Highway
According to the Juab County Sheriff's Office, the accident took place just after 6:15 PM on Weiss Highway. A Chevy Silverado pickup truck, traveling at what authorities described as "a high rate of speed," lost control and rolled multiple times. All three occupants were ejected from the vehicle during the violent collision.
Ava Olivarez, 17, who was behind the wheel, and Xander Hover, 15, both from the Riverton area of Utah, tragically lost their lives. Hover was pronounced dead at the scene, while Olivarez succumbed to her injuries after being transported to hospital.
The sole survivor, Corey Wayman, 15, miraculously escaped with a broken collarbone and a brain bleed. He was taken to Children's Hospital in critical condition but has since been able to recount the harrowing experience.
Survivor Recalls Terrifying Final Moments
Wayman described the moments leading up to the crash to local media, painting a picture of sudden tragedy. "We got to the turn where it happened, and I remember Ava turned too wide and it was all silent," he told ABC4. "Next thing you know, I was on the floor looking at the roof and I blacked out. Then I woke up with paramedics around me."
Authorities confirmed that none of the teenagers were wearing seat belts at the time of the accident, a factor they identified as contributing to the severity of the outcome. The sheriff's office stated that while the exact cause remains under investigation, "the primary contributing factors are related to high speed travel and disuse of occupant restraints."
Family Disputes and Heartbreaking Tributes
Aaron Olivarez, Ava's father and himself a well-known figure in the drag racing community, has challenged the official account regarding speed. He told reporters that witnesses have informed him his daughter was not speeding at the time of the crash. "It is unfathomable. It is the worst thing we can go through," he said, describing the family's devastation.
The grieving father expressed particular shock that his daughter was not wearing a seat belt, something he found completely out of character. "I don't know how I'm going to move on," he admitted in an emotional interview.
Wayman, who spent every day with both victims, remembered Olivarez for her "dedication to racing" and described how seriously she took her driving. "We always mess around, but as soon as we got to the traffic, she'd say not to mess around, because she takes it so seriously," he recalled.
Legacies of Young Racing Enthusiasts
Ava Olivarez came from a family deeply embedded in drag racing culture and had been racing since she was just eight years old. Her family described her as "a bright light on the track" who showed determination, skill, and passion for the sport. A GoFundMe page established for her funeral expenses noted that "her presence brought joy to everyone around her, and her memory will forever be cherished by her family, friends, and fellow racers."
Xander Hover, remembered by his family as a teenager with "his whole life ahead of him," was celebrated for his adventurous spirit and entrepreneurial drive. His relatives wrote that he "brought so much light to the family" and was determined to build his own business into something remarkable. They described him as caring, driven, and someone who "had a way of making everyone laugh and feel at ease."
Wayman paid tribute to his friend's resilience, saying, "I just want Xander to be remembered for not giving up. Nothing got that kid down. He was always just happy and never let anything bug him."
Community Mourning and Ongoing Investigation
The Juab County Sheriff's Office has not released specific speed data from the crash, telling media that "the exact cause of this tragic accident is still under investigation." Meanwhile, the surviving teen continues to process the loss of his closest friends.
"I don't think it's fully hit me yet. I hate to think about it, they're my best friends," Wayman confessed. "It's a miracle that I'm standing here today, when the other two aren't. It doesn't seem possible."
The tragedy has highlighted important safety concerns within youth racing communities while leaving families and friends to mourn two vibrant young lives cut devastatingly short.
