Richard Hollien Jr. killed in when struck by sand rail in the Glamis sand dunes.

The California Highway Patrol is investigating a fatality at the Glamis sand dunes near Brawley involving an off-road vehicle and a pedestrian.

Officers said Richard Hollien Jr., 51, of Phelan was struck by a sand rail about 3 p.m. Saturday and died about 90 minutes later at Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Indio.

A 35-year-old man from Upland was driving about 20 to 30 mph down a hill and when he reached the bottom he lost control of the vehicle and hit two parked cars and then another sand rail. The impact sent that vehicle into a blue truck and Hollien, the CHP said.

The crash occurred at a popular off-roading spot known as Oldsmobile Hill in the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area. Holiday weekends there can draw thousands of buggy enthusiasts.

A sand rail is a lightweight vehicle made specifically to be driven on sand.