Tributes continue to pour in for beloved Downieville resident Shaun Price, an emergency medical technician (EMT) and volunteer firefighter who is being remembered as someone who "showed up everywhere" he was needed.
"There's probably not an organization here that he didn't donate his time to," Autumn Long-McGie, executive assistant to the Sierra County Sheriff's Office told The Mountain Messenger. "It didn't matter the time of day or night. Shaun had a servant's heart and was always willing to help."
Price, 59, was killed in the early morning hours of June 22 when the ATV he was driving flipped on Belle Street in Downieville near Highway 49. Seriously injured in the accident was passenger and Downieville resident Miles Ryan, who is recovering.
Miles was treated and released from the trauma unit at Chico's Enloe Medical Center for broken ribs and facial lacerations, and other injuries- said spouse Max K. Ryan on Facebook, where many expressed hope for Miles' speedy recovery.
A "giving, doing" kind of guy with a smile that lit up a room, Price touched so many throughout Sierra County by making his community a better place. His passing is a "huge loss," said Long-McGie.
The Downieville Volunteer Firefighters Association of which Price was a longtime member has established a "Shaun Price Memorial Fund." Donations to the fund "will be used for final costs as well as interim expenses related to possessions, insurance costs, housing responsibilities, and any and all needs in preparation for a memorial that will be scheduled later. Once a [memorial] date is set [expected to be in August] everyone will be notified."
For donations, make the check out to DVFA and include the words "Shaun Price Memorial Fund" on the memo at the bottom left. Mail to D.V.F.A., P.O. Box 173, Downieville, CA 95936.
This Saturday, July 16, Sierra Pines in Sierra City will host a fundraiser at the resort's restaurant, with 25% of the proceeds split between Shaun's family needs and Miles's medical expenses. Reservations are suggested for the 5-8 p.m. dinner hour. Call (530) 862-1151 or email sierrapinesresort@gmail.com.
The outpouring of grief in the Downieville community over Price's death is being reflected on Facebook, where many are posting their memories about Shaun-"such a kind and giving person."
The Shaun Price Memorial Group Facebook page link may be found here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3324038194533343/.
Typical of the memories shared was one by Cold Rush Café owner Sonya Z. Meline who recalled how Shaun and his adopted son Robert Baker "painted and helped to make over our new market here in Downieville. Shaun was very meticulous in his work, kind in every way, and did everything with the utmost care...Thank you, Shaun. You were a great friend to me, my family, friends, and to our community."
Sierra County Sheriff-Coroner Mike Fisher told The Mountain Messenger that the fatal accident occurred after 2 a.m. when the ATV Price was driving flipped where his driveway intersects with Belle Street in Downieville.
Fisher called Price's death an "unfortunate and tragic fatal ATV accident. Shaun was so loved in the community-selfless when it came to volunteering."
Sheriff Fisher said he is awaiting the accident report on the incident from the California Highway Patrol and the toxicology report from the Sacramento County District Attorney.
"We have a pretty good idea of what transpired," added Fisher, with the cause of Price's death blunt force trauma, "so often the case in motor vehicle accidents that involve a fatality."
Long-McGie told The Messenger that she called 911 at about 2:45 a.m. when Miles, although injured, made his way to her house about a quarter a mile from where the accident occurred. An ambulance, fire truck and sheriff's deputy were dispatched, she said. CPR was initiated on Price who was declared dead at the scene, with the ambulance then taking Miles to the hospital for treatment.
In addition to serving as an Advanced EMT and firefighter, Price worked as an In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) worker, was a member of the local Lions Club, and served on the Board of the Sierra Frontier Medical Resources. He was in school to be a paramedic, expected to complete his certification this fall. His was a well-lived life: "Shaun was an avid sky diver, with tons of friends in that community. He picked coffee in Hawaii for a season," said Long-McGie.
Price is survived by his step-daughter Jenny O'Donnell, his parents, many cousins, and his adopted sons, Robert and Leslie Baker. Shaun took in the two young men when their father, Shaun's best friend, was tragically killed in a car accident. July 16 Fundraising Dinner Set For Sierra Pines
