Dune-riding deadly along Oregon coast

PACIFIC CITY, Ore. — Police still don't know what led to a fatal crash of two sand rails at Sand Lake Recreation Area, but the deputy who patrols the popular dunes says it was only a matter of time.

"There are a number of these overpowered vehicles," said Tillamook Sheriff's Deputy Jim Horton. "They are capable of very high speeds, and most are capable of pulling the front wheels off the ground and keeping them that way as they tear off across the flats."

Police say high-powered dune buggies have claimed three lives in the last 10 months at Sand Lake, a popular riding spot on the Oregon Coast.

Sand rails are made of fabricated metal tubing and designed for hill climbing and speed. Typically, they have roll bars and harnesses.

David Leach, 56, of Hillsboro, and Chiara Acker, 19, of Aloha, died Sept. 26 when another sand rail driven by David Rieman, 47, of Clark County, collided with Leach's.

Rieman was released from the hospital Thursday.

Leach had two passengers. Phillip R. Snider, 25, and Savina Rosales, 19, of Aloha; both were hospitalized and listed in good condition.

Rieman's sand rail was powered by a Cadillac NorthStar V-8 engine, Horton said. "It's the kind you find in a passenger car. The sand rail is going to weigh much less than a passenger vehicle. Just by that alone, it is going to be very powerful."

The speed limit on the dunes is 55 mph, but it's difficult to enforce, Horton said.