Chadron businessman and Dawes County Commissioner Levi Grant and former restaurant owner Mimi Wheeler-Groves have died of injuries suffered when their motorcycle hit an antelope Monday morning in Utah..
The Utah Highway Patrol says the couple was westbound on Utah Hwy 12 near Bryce Canyon National Park about 9:45 when the antelope jumped in front of them. Their motorcycle struck the animal and they were both thrown from the bike.
The 62-year old Grant was pronounced dead at the scene with the 61-year old Wheeler-Groves passing away Tuesday morning at St George Regional Hospital in St George, Utah,
She had been taken to the hospital by ambulance and by air in extremely serious condition.
At the time of the accident, both were wearing helmets, which the Highway Patrol described as heavily damaged.
Utah Hwy 12, where the accident occured, is also known as the “A Journey Through Time Scenic Byway” and links Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks.
Levi Grant was the owner of Levi’s Auto and Metal Recycling. He was a former Chadron City Council member and was elected Dawes County Commissioner from District 3 in 2020.
Mimi Wheeler-Groves owns several rental properties in Chadron and owned Helen’s Pancake House and Steakhouse/The Grove in Chadron for over 20 years before her daughter, Jennifer Wright, took over in 2019.
As I stated on FB and e mail, Dawes County GOP and Dean and I are extremely sad and stunned to hear of this terrible accident. Levi was our friend and our County Commissioner. He was always willing to take out a little time to attend our monthly meetings and give us a little update about what was happening a the County level. We send our sincerest condolences to his family and many friends also for Mimi and her family, this tragedy will leave a huge hole in our little town and our County.
I’m really sad to hear this. Levi was one who gave me Daily reflection book 2 years ago . Anyhow I live in Utah and I traveled route 12 many times on motorcycle. Weather in that area recently been 22 at night 58 doing the day. The sun will heat up the road doing morning hours, then the wildlife is attracted to the warmth of the pavement. I seeing this happen many times over in that area. Locals would usually warn tourists about this. It saddens me that this happened to a special person to all of us