Hereford woman dies in 4-wheeler accident

Published 10:23 am Tuesday, July 19, 2022

BAKER COUNTY — A Hereford woman died in a four-wheeler accident west of Dooley Mountain Summit late last week.

Kathleen Marie “Kate” Sullivan, 66, was killed when her four-wheeler rolled in the Bald Mountain area, about 2 miles west of the summit on Highway 245, said Ashley McClay, public information officer for the Baker County Sheriff’s Office.

Members of the county’s search and rescue team found Sullivan’s body about 10:43 a.m. on Saturday, July 16, McClay said.

Her dog, who had accompanied her on a ride to set out salt blocks for cattle, had stayed with Sullivan, and was not injured, McClay said.

The search started about 6:15 a.m. on July 16 after Sullivan’s relatives reported that they hadn’t been able to find her after searching earlier that morning and the night of July 15, McClay said.

Sullivan was supposed to meet family for an event in Baker City the evening of July 15, but she didn’t arrive.

No one had talked with Sullivan since July 14, when she planned to distribute salt blocks in the Bald Mountain area, McClay said.

After family and friends were unable to find Sullivan Friday night or early Saturday, they called the sheriff’s office at 4:17 a.m. on July 16, McClay said.

Sheriff Travis Ash activated the search and rescue team at 5:11 a.m. A dozen searchers, including Ash, went out with 15 to 20 relatives and friends of Sullivan, to resume the search.

McClay said Sullivan had been riding cross-country when the four-wheeler rolled. It appeared she had died July 14.

“It was not the outcome that we hoped for,” McClay said.