LDS Church, Scouts sued in ATV accident

The guardian of a teenager injured in an all-terrain vehicle crash has sued The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Trapper Trails Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

The crash in 2001 left Kyler Petersen, then 16 years old, with debilitating head injuries, according to documents filed Thursday in 3rd District Court. The teen's guardian, Kari Wright, had given leaders permission to take Petersen riding in the Uinta Mountains on the condition that he not ride alone.

During the outing on August 17, 2001, Peterson rode an ATV alone, took a corner too quickly and crashed. The crash cracked the teen's helmet, according to the documents.

The ATV ride was part of a Scouting activity of the Trapper Trails Council, which stretches from Kaysville into southern Idaho and western Wyoming. The Boy Scout troop was organized by the local LDS ward.

Wright is seeking at least $120,000 to cover the injured teen's medical expenses and lost wages.

The LDS Church declined to comment on the lawsuit.

Trapper Trails Council spokesman Rick Barnes said he was unaware of the incident but that the Boy Scouts of America does not authorize ATV riding. According to the Guide to Safe Scouting, the activity is restricted, he noted.