By Tracie Sullivan, For Iron County Today
A week after a side-by-side crash claimed the life of 12-year-old Dusty Dalley and left her friend, Bekah Hale, critically injured, support for both Parowan families continues to grow across the community.
Hale, who suffered severe burns in the June 12 crash near the Iron County Fairgrounds, “remains in a burn unit but is awake and continuing to improve,” Iron County Sheriff Ken Carpenter said.
Carpenter said he recently spoke with the family’s pastor, who visited Hale this week.
“He told me she’s awake and doing better. He said, ‘She’s quite the little fighter,'” Carpenter said.
The girls were riding in a side-by-side near the Valentine Peak Sports Complex when it rolled over and caught fire. Dalley died in the crash, while Hale was flown to a burn center, where she remains hospitalized as she continues her recovery. The Iron County Sheriff’s Office is still investigating the cause of the crash.
Friday, family, friends and members of the community gathered to celebrate Dusty’s life and support her family. Carpenter, who attended, said the large turnout reflected the outpouring of love the Dalley and Hale families have received in the days since the tragedy.
“It’s heartbreaking to see families go through this but the support from the community has been amazing,” he said.
In the days following the crash, residents, businesses and community organizations have organized fundraisers and donation drives to help the families with funeral expenses, medical costs, travel and other financial needs.
A Facebook group, Parowan Strong, has coordinated donations through its Venmo account, @Parowan-Strong, and is accepting contributions through the State Bank of Southern Utah.
Several local businesses have also stepped forward to help. Earlier this week, Wildflower Beauty Salon hosted a donation event in honor of the girls, while Dairy Freeze donated proceeds from its Monday ice cream sales to the families.
Support efforts will continue June 29 with a community benefit dinner and silent auction beginning at 6 p.m. at the Valentine Peak Ball Fields in Parowan.
The event will feature a home run derby, baseball and softball tournament, silent auction and live music, with organizers saying 100% of the proceeds will go directly to the Dalley and Hale families.
Among those volunteering at the event will be the Iron County Sheriff, who said he has agreed to spend some time in the dunk tank to help raise money for the families.