LANDERS WOMAN KILLED IN OFF-ROAD VEHICLE CRASH

A Landers woman was killed Saturday in an off-road vehicle accident. According to a Sheriff’s report, deputies were called to the 2800 block of Shawnee Trail in Landers about 1:05 p.m. for a report of a missing woman. Rhea Mears, 64, had gone out riding her 2003 Honda Sportrax quad about 9 a.m. and had not yet returned. Deputies followed Mears’ vehicle tracks, and with assistance from a Sheriff’s helicopter, discovered that Mears had crashed into boulders and thrown from the quad in the desert about a quarter mile east of Highway 247 and 1 ½ miles north of Happy Trail. Mears, who was wearing a helmet, was alive, but had suffered major injuries. The deputies began CPR until paramedics arrived. Mears was flown to Desert Hospital in Palm Springs, where she died of her injuries.