Kirkwood, California — A 25-year-old snowboarder, Roman Lacayo, succumbed to severe head injuries sustained at Kirkwood Mountain Resort in Alpine County. The Alpine County Sheriff’s Office reported that the incident occurred on Saturday, March 29th.
Lacayo was snowboarding with his girlfriend and friends when he arrived at the resort on March 27th. According to his father, Nathan Clardy, Lacayo fell on an intermediate trail and struck his head on a large rock. Emergency services were alerted around 12:20 p.m.
Deputies found Lacayo with a critical head injury, which authorities stated was fatal. He was pronounced dead at the resort’s Barton Medical Clinic shortly before 1:00 p.m.
Kirkwood Mountain Resort, owned by Vail Resorts, confirmed the fatality and expressed condolences to the family. Lacayo’s father revealed that his son had recently graduated from a Southern California fire academy. A GoFundMe campaign has been initiated to support the family, raising over $40,000 as of Wednesday.
Clardy urged snowboarders to wear helmets, a safety measure his son was not using during the accident. He described his son as an “amazing person” with a natural inclination to help others. A memorial service for Lacayo is scheduled for April 17th.
We offer our deepest condolences to Mr. Clardy and his family as they navigate this challenging time. If your family is dealing with the aftermath of a similar incident, legal support is available to explain your rights and options. Free consultations are provided. Contact us today to learn more.
