The Big Picture
A St. George family is sharing a powerful reminder about the importance of helmets after their 8-year-old son, Zach Winward, survived a serious bicycle crash involving a pickup truck.
Zach’s helmet was crushed in the crash, but he walked away without a traumatic brain injury or concussion. His family says the helmet changed the outcome of what could have been a devastating tragedy.
Intermountain Health, Gold Cross Ambulance and Washington City leaders are now urging families to make helmets automatic for every ride — especially as bicycle, scooter and e-bike injuries continue to rise among children and teens.
What’s Happening
Community leaders gathered at Washington Wheels Park to raise awareness about helmet safety and the growing number of injuries involving bikes, scooters, e-bikes and similar devices.
Intermountain Health trauma data shows 536 young patients were treated in Intermountain emergency departments last year for injuries while riding a bicycle or scooter. Only 38 percent of those patients reported wearing a helmet.
Intermountain also reported a 67 percent increase in e-bike-related injuries among children and teens in one year, reflecting a broader concern as more young riders use faster electric bikes and scooters to get to school, parks and around their neighborhoods.
The event also highlighted Utah’s new e-bike helmet law, which requires riders under 21 to wear helmets on e-bikes. Washington City leaders said education is the first priority, but repeat violations may lead to citations.
Why It Matters
Bike and scooter crashes can happen in seconds, but the injuries can be life-altering. Trauma specialists and first responders say helmets are one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of serious head injuries.
Gold Cross Ambulance Advanced EMT Riley Deru said helmets help absorb the force of a crash and protect the head from impact or sliding across pavement. First responders often see more severe outcomes when riders are not wearing helmets.
For the Winward family, the issue is deeply personal. Zach was riding his bike in March when a pickup truck hit him near his home. According to details from the police report shared by his father, Zach was struck by the front of the truck, went underneath the vehicle and was run over by the rear driver’s side tire. Investigators concluded his helmet protected his head.
Zach left the hospital less than four hours later with road rash, abrasions and a minor shoulder blade fracture. His parents say their family’s non-negotiable helmet rule saved his life.
The Bottom Line
The message from Zach’s family, Intermountain Health, Gold Cross Ambulance and Washington City leaders is simple: helmets should be worn every ride, every time.
Parents are encouraged to set clear rules — no helmet, no ride — and to model safe behavior by wearing helmets themselves. Families should also make sure helmets fit properly and are rated for the activity, especially as e-bikes and other faster devices become more common.
A helmet may take only a few seconds to put on, but as Zach’s story shows, it can make all the difference.