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"What Were They Thinking?," Death Valley National Park Edition

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By NPT Staff - March 11th, 2017

Not a smart driver/NPS

This van drove about a half-mile off Badwater Road in Death Valley National Park on Wednesday.

With National Park Service permission, a tow company was to try to pull the van out with a track vehicle. Remember: vehicles must stay on roads in the park (but should park off the road on the adjacent road shoulders).

Tracks in the salt pan can be visible for years.

As of Friday, the driver had not been charged. However, the range of penalty options include: mandatory court appearance, up to $5,000 fine, up to 6 months in jail, and restitution charges for tow and restoring salt pan.

Comments

Submitted by snochasr on March 11, 2017 - 6:40pm.

I'm curious as to the WHY?  Drunk? Stupid? Didn't care?


Submitted by Anonymous on March 11, 2017 - 6:41pm.

Now you're talking


Submitted by Kevin Ahern on March 11, 2017 - 7:25pm.

In answer to your question what we're they thinking,  they weren't. That's the problem.  We have a generation or two that really believe rules do not apply to them. Call it stupidity or just selfishness.  Either way, throw the book at them!


Submitted by Marc on March 11, 2017 - 10:08pm.

Down by the river I'm guessing. 


Submitted by Pat Cos on March 12, 2017 - 12:19am.

This is a copy cat incident.  Their van is going to rot from all of the salt.  The floorboards, the engine, the body frame and the tires.  This is ancient salt and is very corrosive.  Even ocean salt can cause permanent damage to vehicles.

 I used to go to Death Valley for camping trips, but, now I'm tired of the houligan off road bikers and the inconsiderate bus tourists that walk all over the bad water plains.  What used to be a pristine area where one can gape at the beauty is now in bad shape.  It's like those kid's that toppled the rocks in Utah.  It's very sad to be in Death Valley.


Submitted by Richard on March 12, 2017 - 5:02am.

The unfortunate part to this is that Death Valley is not as stringent about collecting fees and keeping people like this out. This van is a sign of homelessness.


Submitted by Bruce Hildreth on March 12, 2017 - 5:28am.

Looks like the vehicle is stuck on protected property.  Confiscate the vehicle and hold it for a 50k ransome.  Put a lien on there personal property.  If they are supported by government funds, they should loose all of it.  Consequences should hurt, just like they screwed up the park's and our property.


Submitted by floyd on March 12, 2017 - 8:28am.

I didn't see where this van was driven by a "guy"


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