Acton Man Identified As Victim Of Fatal UTV Crash

An Acton man has been identified as the person killed in a fatal UTV crash in late August.

54-year-old Michael Graves, of Acton, was killed at about 9:10 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 25, when the 2006 Yamaha Rhino, a Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) he was riding in, went off the roadway near the intersection of Aliso Canyon Road just north of Avenue Y-8 in Acton, according to California Highway Patrol (CHP) reports.

“For reasons still under investigation, (Graves) allowed (the vehicle) to veer to the right and travel off the roadway onto the west shoulder of Aliso Canyon Road,” read the incident report. “(Graves) steered (the vehicle) to the left and lost control of (the vehicle). (The vehicle) travelled out of control until it left the east road edge, subsequently overturning down an embankment.”

Graves was ejected from the UTV and suffered fatal injuries, according to the CHP report.

Alcohol and/or drugs are suspected to be a factor in the fatal incident, according to CHP officials.

Graves was the 40th person killed in the CHP Antelope Valley jurisdiction in 2021.

“You can help prevent these senseless deaths by obeying all traffic signs and signals, obeying the speed limit, not driving or walking impaired, and always wearing your seatbelt,” said Officer Monique Mischeaux, spokesperson for the Antelope Valley CHP Area Office.

See Related: Acton Man Identified After Vehicle Plunges 185 Feet Off Road In Angeles Forest Crash

A GoFundMe has been set up to support Graves’ family, and speaks warmly of a man who  “was the pinnacle of what a True Friend was,” according to his family.

“As a brother, you couldn’t top him. Mikey was absolutely the best there was. Being his baby brother, I was often spoiled by his attention… My brother Mikey never let me down. There was never a time I called on Mike that he didn’t come to my rescue. Even as life took us down different roads and we made different choices, my love for my brother was always 100%. His for me was always 110% ” wrote Graves’ brother, Todd, in the GoFundMe description.

Graves is remembered as a loving father, brother, uncle and friend, and the funds raised are meant to help pay for his funeral and support his son.

“As you can see he meant a lot to many. His passing will be heavy on all our hearts for years to come. Please help us fulfill his request and final send-off. You know what Mike Graves would say, ‘Go big or go home.’ We want to make sure he has the greatest send-off possible,” Graves’ brother wrote.

To donate to the GoFundMe, click here.

Ed. Note: Quotes have been edited for clarity

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