Richland man, daughter die in crash south of Pomeroy

A Richland man and his 10-year-old daughter were killed Sunday in Garfield County when the off-road vehicle they were riding in crashed.

The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office and personnel with Garfield Fire District 1 were called that evening to Steven’s Ridge in the Umatilla National Forest south of Pomeroy, a release said.

Daniel J. Gabica, 36, and Madilyn Gabica were found dead at the scene. Officials learned the two had been riding in a Polaris UTV, or utility task vehicle, with another adult and juvenile when it lost control, ejecting Gabica and his daughter.

Alcohol is not believed to be a factor and no criminal charges are expected.

Madilyn was a fifth-grade student at Richland’s Badger Mountain Elementary School. School officials sent a letter home with students on Tuesday informing them of her death and activities done at school to help other students mourn.

A Go Fund Me account to benefit Madilyn’s family is seeking raise $20,000. You can donate to the effort at this link: bit.ly/MadilynGabica.

This story was originally published May 31, 2016 at 3:10 PM with the headline "Richland man, daughter die in crash south of Pomeroy."