By C.J. McMANUS
Sun Advocate reporter

Tragedy continues to rock Utah’s Castle Country this weekend as the Utah Highway Patrol is now reporting that a 7-year-old boy was hit and killed while riding his bike Saturday afternoon in the town of Cleveland. The incident marks the second automobile related death in the Castle Valley in under 24 hours.

According to a Utah Highway Patrol release, 7-year-old Jared Anderson of Castle Dale was with his family visiting relatives just outside of Cleveland when the incident occurred. Anderson reportedly borrowed a bike and may have had difficulty working the hand and foot brakes as he coasted down the home’s long, steep driveway into State Route 155 colliding with a westbound Toyota Avalon. Anderson was stuck at mile post three.

UHP spokesperson Joe Dougherty reported that the vehicle’s driver stated he was going approximately 50 mph when the boy rode in front of the car. Anderson died at the scene.

At this time, Dougherty and other investigators have stated that the crash appears to be a tragic accident.

The Sun Advocate and Emery County Progress will have further details concerning this incident as they are released.