A 14-year-old high school student died after crashing into a tree while snowboarding on a beginner trail at Keystone ski area last weekend, officials confirmed Wednesday.
Levi Inama, who was a student at Palmer Ridge High School in Monument, died after a snowboarding accident March 2, Principal Adam Frank said in an email sent to staff and families.
Ski patrol responded to a “serious incident” on a beginner trail on Dercum Mountain, Vail Resorts spokesperson Sara Lococo said, declining to provide any additional information about the boy’s death.
Inama was transported to a hospital in Denver while he was comatose but showing stable vital signs, Summit County Sheriff Jaime FitzSimons said. The boy was taken off life support Sunday and died Monday night.
A bystander who witnessed the crash said the teen was wearing a helmet, FitzSimons said.
Dercum Mountain is 11,640 feet and includes long, groomed beginner slopes and rolling intermediate runs, according to the ski area’s website. FitzSimons said the crash happened on Two Sled run, which is a green run.
“Keystone Resort, Keystone Ski Patrol and the entire Vail Resorts family extend our deepest sympathy and support to our guest’s family and friends,” Chris Sorensen, vice president and general manager at Keystone Resort, said in a statement.
Frank remembered Levi as an engaged student and athlete.
“Levi was kind, respected and caring, and his presence will be missed in our halls, as well as on our football and track teams, where he was a hard-working student-athlete,” Frank wrote.
The district is offering support services at the high school throughout the week, he said.