Gayle Stevens, a leader in Utah's arts community and the chairwoman of the Sundance Institute's Utah Advisory Board, died in a car crash Friday night. She was 60.

Stevens was driving north on Utah State Road 66, on the way home from a dinner party, when a deer ran in front of her car, according to this account in The Salt Lake Tribune. The car ran off the road and hit an embankment.

Stevens' husband, Peter, was driving his car behind hers. He attempted to revive her, but she was declared dead at the scene.

Gayle Stevens has been a volunteer for Sundance for 20 years, raising money and awareness for the arts organization. She also was active in other arts groups in Salt Lake City.

Jill Miller, the institute's managing director, praised Stevens: "Whether in her own home or leading a meeting as chair of the Sundance Institute Utah Advisory Board, Gayle had a personal style that was a combination of generosity, grace, femininity and perceptive intelligence. She never failed to bring her sense of fun and passion for the arts to all that she did within and for the community."

Labels: Sundance