Utah CEO killed in east Idaho helicopter crash

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (ABC4) — A Utah CEO has been identified as the victim who died after a helicopter crashed on the ice of Ririe Reservoir near Idaho Falls on Thursday.

Bradford Brown, 59, of Alpine, Utah was reportedly on board the helicopter that was located about a mile east of the dam. The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Deputies said he died at the scene of the crash.

A second victim, who has not been identified, was taken to a local area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. It is currently unclear what caused the helicopter to crash into Ririe Reservoir and an investigation is ongoing.

Brown was the CEO and founder of ATL Technologies, a Springville, Utah-based company that manufactures medical devices. Brown was also a board member for BioUtah, a non-profit organization serving the life sciences community in Utah.

BioUtah CEO and President Kelvyn Cullimore called Brown a “true captain” of the industry and a pillar of the medical device community.

“He was a humble family man, a true Christian, and passionate about being a pilot, a skill he refined over decades of flying,” said Cullimore. “His loss is devastating to our Utah life sciences community. He served for years in executive leadership of BioUtah promoting the state life sciences industry. Our condolences to his wife, Shannon, his family and the entire team at ATL.”

ATL Technology released a statement saying, in part, “Our close-knit family at ATL is devastated by the tragic loss of our founder,” adding that he died just a few weeks short of his 60th birthday.

“He was visionary, passionate, and dedicated to ATL, the life sciences industry and above all, his family and community,” the statement read. “It goes without saying he leaves an indelible mark on ATL and the global life sciences industry.”

ATL said the company is providing mental health resources for employees as many have worked with Brown for decades.

According to Brown’s online biography, he had over 4,200 hours in the air using both planes and helicopters. He graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Medical Engineering before starting ATL Technologies.

Brown is survived by his wife, Shannon, his six children, and two grandchildren.

Sorina Trauntvein contributed to this report.