Dune disaster was a life lesson

By Angel Luis

Franco a couple months before the accident

For many students at Rialto High School, weekends are a time to relax, hang out with friends, or go on trips with family. For junior Adan Franco, one trip during his freshman year became an experience he says he will never forget. While visiting the sand dunes in Glamis, California, a ride in a RZR turned into an accident that taught him an important lesson about safety and responsibility.

The Glamis sand dunes are a popular destination for off-road enthusiasts. Riders bring vehicles such as dirt bikes, ATVs, and side-by-sides like the Polaris RZR to ride across the large sand dunes. Even though the dunes are fun, they can also be dangerous because drivers cannot always see what is on the other side of a hill.

Franco said he was excited to ride when the accident happened because he had never experienced the dunes before. He explained that everything felt normal at first, and the group was just driving over the hills like everyone else.

“I thought it was just going to be a normal ride,” Franco said. “We were going pretty fast, and I didn’t realize how easy it is to lose control in the sand.”

According to Franco, the accident happened when the RZR went over a dune too quickly and landed hard on the other side. The sudden landing caused the vehicle to bounce and lose balance, throwing everyone forward in their seats. Even though they were wearing seatbelts, the crash scared him and made him realize how quickly something fun can turn serious.

The dunes in Glamis are known for being unpredictable, especially for people with little experience driving there. Because the hills are so high, drivers sometimes cannot see other riders or the slope on the other side, which can lead to accidents if they are not careful.

Franco said the accident changed the way he thinks about taking risks, especially when he is with friends.

“After that crash, I realized you can’t just do something because everyone else is doing it,” Franco said. “You have to slow down and think about what could happen before you make a decision.”

Now a junior at Rialto High School, Franco says he still likes going on trips and spending time with friends, but he is more careful than he used to be. He hopes other students can learn from his experience and understand that even fun activities can be dangerous if people are not paying attention.

“It only takes one second for something to go wrong,” Franco said. “I was lucky nothing worse happened, and that’s why I take safety more seriously now.”