Hurricane, UT (August 31, 2026) - A father and his young daughter were critically injured on Friday evening, August 28, when the side-by-side vehicle they were riding in caught fire. The incident left both with serious burns, according to family members.
Jared Fry and his daughter, Nova, were riding in the utility terrain vehicle (UTV) when the fire broke out. Relatives said Nova was secured in a car seat at the time. Fry suffered burns to his face and arms while pulling his daughter from the burning vehicle.
Nova sustained burns across roughly 35% of her body. Both father and daughter were flown to a Las Vegas hospital for treatment.
Nova has since undergone her first surgery. Family members said doctors removed damaged tissue down to healthy tissue and covered the burns with cadaver skin. The surgery went well, relatives said, though Nova remained severely swollen and was expected to stay on a breathing tube through the week as additional surgeries were performed.
Relatives said Nova could remain hospitalized for at least two months. The extended stay has created financial strain as family members take time away from work to be with her, and fundraisers have been organized to help cover medical expenses, lost income, meals, and transportation.
The cause of the fire has not been released, and law enforcement authorities are investigating the incident.
Our hearts go out to Jared and Nova Fry and their family, and we hope they both make a full recovery.
When a Vehicle Fire in Utah Raises Product Liability Questions
When a UTV catches fire during normal use in Utah, one of the first questions most families ask is a simple one: why did this happen? That question sits at the heart of product liability law, which holds manufacturers responsible for putting safe products in the hands of the people who buy them.
It is worth saying that fires are a recognized category of vehicle defect claim, and families are entitled to find out what went wrong.
Product liability claims involving vehicles are usually built on a legal theory called strict liability, and that distinction matters. Under strict liability, an injured victim does not have to prove the manufacturer was careless or cut corners. The focus is on the product itself, not on the company's conduct.
To bring that kind of claim, three things have to be established: that an unreasonably dangerous defect existed in the product's design, in its manufacturing, or in the warnings that came with it; that the defect caused injury while the product was being used as intended; and that the vehicle had not been substantially changed since it was originally sold.
Some cases are pursued instead as a breach of express or implied warranty, depending on what the manufacturer promised the buyer.
That framework covers a wide range of failures. Along with fires, automotive defect claims commonly involve airbag non-deployment, seatback failure, restraint system failure, brake failure, and engine failure.
U.S. consumer protection laws require auto manufacturers to make sure the vehicles they build and sell are safe for drivers and passengers, and when a design creates a dangerous condition, or something goes wrong during the manufacturing process, the resulting injuries or deaths can form the basis of a claim.
Federal regulations reinforce that manufacturers owe buyers real information about the products they sell. Under 49 CFR Part 575, the consumer information rules administered by NHTSA, manufacturers of motor vehicles and tires must give purchasers specific safety and performance information, including guidance in the owner's manual on how to report a suspected safety defect. Those reporting channels exist precisely because a problem in one vehicle is often a problem in many.
If you are trying to make sense of an accident like this in Utah, Cutt, Kendell & Olson can help you sort through it. Our firm has represented seriously injured people in Utah for more than 26 years and has recovered over $950 million for its clients, including victims harmed by defective auto parts and vehicle fires.
Our legal team can work to preserve the vehicle and the evidence, bring in the right specialists to determine what failed, and handle the manufacturer and insurance side of the case while your family stays focused on recovery. To talk with our lawyers about your situation, we invite you to call us at 801-901-3470.
Note: This post is based on information obtained from publicly available secondary sources. While we strive to ensure the accuracy of the information presented, Cutt, Kendell & Olson Attorneys At Law has not independently verified all details of the incident reported. If you notice any inaccuracies or missing information, please contact Cutt, Kendell & Olson Attorneys At Law so we can promptly review and update the content.
Disclaimer: The content of this post is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as legal or medical advice. Reading this post does not create an attorney-client relationship with Cutt, Kendell & Olson Attorneys At Law. If you have been injured in an accident, seek appropriate medical care and consult a qualified attorney regarding your legal options. Any images included are for illustrative purposes only and do not depict the actual accident scene or individuals involved.