Snow-student athlete killed Monday in two-car accident

Similar to the accident that claimed a USU Eastern soccer player fall semester, a Snow College softball player was killed in a in a two-car accident January 16 while traveling south on SR 132. 

Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Cameron Roden said that Paige Rydalch was traveling south in a Chevy Cavalier when she lost control of the vehicle on a road that he described as “wet and slushy.”

He said the car spun backward on the road and into the lane of an oncoming Ford F-350 with a large gooseneck, flatbed trailer attached to it.

“The driver of the Ford could not stop in time and impacted the rear of the car, pushing it off the road. After impact, the Ford went up on the car with the front bumper ending up on the front dash of the car,” Roden said.

Rydalch was killed on impact.

She is a sophomore from Stockton, Utah. 

“A tragedy like this impacts all of us. We are grieving the loss of a beloved young woman. We will do all we can to support Paige’s coaches, teammates, classmates, and family during this difficult time,” said Snow College President Stacee McIff.

The Badger softball team will dedicate their season to Paige in honor of the way she lived her life on and off the field, the college said.

“This has shocked and saddened our softball family. We know Paige, and we love her. She was a dedicated player who always put in the extra mile. She made others feel loved and had a work ethic like no other,” Rob Nielson, Snow College vice president for external affairs who also helped coach the softball team last year, said in a release.

Eastern’s Lauren Bradshaw, from Lehi, was killed on Highway U.S. 6 in October 2022. She played soccer for the Eagles and was returning to campus after her team played Salt Lake Community College earlier that day.