WALLOWA COUNTY, Ore. — The Wallowa County community is grieving following a tragic accident that claimed the life of 87-year-old Daniel Clyde Gover of Enterprise. According to the Wallowa County Sheriff’s Office, Gover was found deceased on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, after a UTV crash in the Divide Ridge Access Area, a remote and rugged region in rural Joseph.

At approximately 3:00 p.m., emergency dispatchers received a call reporting a possible UTV wreck. Deputies responded and were guided to a private property location, where they discovered Gover beside the heavily damaged vehicle. Officials say he had been operating the UTV alone at the time of the accident.

Based on the investigation, it appears Gover lost control of the UTV while descending a steep hillside. The vehicle is believed to have struck two trees, and evidence at the scene indicates that the impact caused Gover to be thrown forward through the windshield, resulting in fatal injuries. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The Sheriff’s Office has stated that the incident appears to be a tragic accident, with no signs of foul play.

Friends and neighbors across Enterprise remember Gover as a kind and familiar presence — a man who enjoyed the outdoors and the independence that came with it. His passing has left the community grieving, especially those who shared time, stories, and friendship with him over the years.

“Our condolences go out to the family and friends of Gover during this difficult time,” Sheriff Ryan Moody said in the department’s statement.

In the wake of this tragedy, many in the community are offering support to Gover’s family as they navigate this sudden and heartbreaking loss.

Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days. The Wallowa County community stands united in remembrance and sympathy during this time of sorrow.