A 52-year-old motorcyclist from Tooele County died Saturday, Sept. 12, after a chain-reaction crash during the annual Fire Ride, the police-escorted memorial procession that departs from Sandy each year.

The crash happened at 11:17 a.m. on U.S. Highway 89 near Gordon Lane in Layton, according to the Utah Department of Public Safety. Two other motorcycles were involved. The man died while being transported to the hospital.

He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, the department said.

The condition of the two other riders has not been released.

The 2026 Fire Ride marked the event's 20th year, according to Fox 13. The ride honors firefighters who died in the line of duty and supports the American Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Ogden. Motorcyclists gathered Saturday morning at South Valley Harley-Davidson, 8886 S. Sandy Parkway Drive, before setting out at 9 a.m. for the memorial.

The route runs north from Sandy through Davis County along U.S. 89. The crash site in Layton fell along the procession's path. Riders were expected to arrive at the memorial in Ogden between noon and 1 p.m.

The Utah Highway Patrol, which is investigating the crash, said the event usually attracts 300 to 400 motorcyclists, Gephardt Daily reported. Those riders travel the full route from Sandy to Ogden in a police escort, gathering to pay tribute at the memorial upon arrival.

Fox 13 first reported the fatal crash Saturday afternoon.

The victim's name has not been publicly released.

No further details about what caused the chain-reaction crash have been disclosed. The investigation remains open.