Aspiring firefighter dies at California ski resort in snowboarding accident

A 25-year-old Southern California man died Saturday after a snowboarding accident at Kirkwood Mountain Resort, marking the second reported death at a Tahoe-area ski resort that weekend.

Roman Lacayo of Corona, described by family as an aspiring firefighter, suffered what resort officials called a “serious incident” on an intermediate trail near Chair 4, better known as the Sunrise Chairlift. The Alpine County Sheriff’s Office said Lacayo died from a major head injury just after noon.

Ski patrollers responded and transported Lacayo to the Barton Medical Clinic at the resort’s base area. He was pronounced dead following emergency care and evaluation, Kirkwood officials said.

“His adventurous spirit, kind heart, and infectious smile brought joy to everyone who knew him,” family members wrote on a GoFundMe page seeking help with funeral costs.

Ricky Newberry, general manager and vice president for the resort, expressed condolences on behalf of Kirkwood’s staff in a statement: “Our thoughts are with all those affected during this difficult time.”

Lacayo’s death came the same day 7-year-old Adelyn Grimes of Reno died at Diamond Peak Ski Resort. Authorities said a boulder fell and fatally injured the girl in what the Washoe County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled an accident.

This story was originally published April 1, 2025 at 4:28 PM.