2 Georgia Residents Killed and 7 Kids Injured in Labor Day Weekend ATV Crash in Alabama

What was meant to be a fun day outdoors ended in tragedy over the weekend at an ATV park near Piedmont, Alabama.

What happened

• Around 3:50 p.m. Saturday, first responders were called to Indian Mountain ATV Park.
• Authorities say a side-by-side RZR carrying nine people collided with another ATV, then overturned and hit a tree.
• Driver Marcus Ragland, 34, and passenger Ashley Brooke Hawkins, 31 — both from Rome, Georgia — did not survive.

The children

• Seven kids, ages 1 to 12, were riding in the ATV with Ragland and Hawkins.
• Three were flown to trauma centers in Birmingham.
• Four were taken to Atrium-Floyd Medical Center in Rome.
• Officials have not released updates on their conditions.

What investigators say

• Sheriff Jeff Shaver said the RZR appeared to be traveling at high speed before impact.
• The driver of the other ATV was not hurt and tried to help at the scene.
• Toxicology tests are pending to see if alcohol played a role. (Cherokee County, Alabama is officially “dry,” meaning alcohol is not legal to possess outside cities and towns.)

Why it matters

Recreational vehicles like RZRs are popular for families, but they can also be dangerous. Safety officials stress:

• Limit passengers — most side-by-sides aren’t built for more than 2–4 people.
• Always wear seatbelts and helmets.
• Drive cautiously, especially with children onboard.

The bigger picture

Accidents involving ATVs and side-by-sides are not uncommon. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, hundreds of ATV-related deaths are reported in the U.S. each year, with children making up a significant share of the victims.